Biography

Ronachai Krisadaolarn (Ronald Jay Cristal). LLB, JD, was born in Brooklyn, on June 20, 1942 and received his Bachelor of Law (Cum Laude), and Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) degrees from Union University, Albany Law School. He is admitted to the New York and Guam Bars. From 1969, he was a US Air Force Judge Advocate at Ubol Royal Thai Air Force Base, and from 1972-73 he was head of the US Air Force Foreign Claims Commission stationed at U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Air Station. From 1979 to 1988, he was the Managing Director of Leo Trustee Company Limited and in this capacity, at a royal audience, personally petitioned H.M. the Queen to establish a foundation to pay for operations for the semi blind. From 1985 onwards, he was a lecturer at Bangkok University in the MBA Program on the subjects of Business Law and Managerial Decisions, and Money and Capital Markets.

In 1988, he was appointed Managing Director of Freehills’ Thailand office, subsequently renamed Bangkok International Associates, a position he still holds today. He is a director of many Thai companies and charitable associations. He has written many of the previous editions of the BIA Thailand Legal and Business Guide, as well as writing articles and giving seminars in Thailand, Singapore and Australia on numerous areas of Thai law, including: Land, Buildings & Condominiums; the Foreign Business Act; Business Promotion Incentives; Corporate Taxation, Nationality, Negotiable Instruments, and other subjects. He specializes in corporate and commercial law, joint ventures, M & A, banking, taxation, commercial and residential property, nationality and wills and probate.

He is internationally recognized as an expert on Thai coinage and medals. He was the Editor of the English Language editions of Coins of Rattanakosin and Medals of Rattanakosin, Thai Treasury Department, 1982, a set of which was personally presented to H.M. King Bhumibol. He edited the English language version of The Centennial of Thai Banknotes, published by the Bank of Thailand. He has twice lectured at the Thai National Museum on Siamese coinage. He attended the official opening of the Royal Thai Mint in 2003 and exhibited a selection from his coin collection at the opening ceremony. To reach the Thailand Coins Collection, click on the following link: https://youtu.be/azmKXVJ_fQ4 .