Amendments to Thailand’s Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act (No.3), B.E. 2560 (2017) were published in the Government Gazette  on May 17, 2017, and will become effective on September 15, 2017 (120 days after the date of publication). While the new provisions will enhance consumer protection, they will also impose more stringent regulations and obligations on business operators. This article discusses the amendments and their potential effects on business operators and consumers.

The pace of Thailand’s infrastructure development has continued to grow in the past few years, bringing numerous opportunities for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms based overseas that are looking for ways to participate in a project in Thailand. However, potential investors will need to have a solid understanding of the country’s legal and regulatory framework prior to investing significant time, energy, and capital.

The technology used to view media is constantly being improved. Over the past few decades, the resolution of screens has vastly increased alongside the computing power necessary to play high-definition video through them. Similarly, video players have progressed through the formats of Betamax, VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, and Blu-ray (alongside some more ill-fated counterparts), and Internet speeds have risen to the point where content providers are now able to offer high-definition video streaming services to mass-market consumers.

On May 17, 2017, Thailand published its new Customs Act B.E. 2560 (2017) in the Royal Gazette, the official journal in which new laws are announced. The Act, effective 180 days from publication, repeals the outdated and controversial Customs Act B.E. 2469 (1926) and its prior amendments.

Thailand’s new Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 (2017) (TCA) was published in the Government Gazette  on July 7 and will come into force 90 days later on October 5. The new TCA will likely lead to many significant changes, including expanding the powers of the Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC) and making the OTCC independent from the government. Other important provisions in the new TCA are set out below.Defining market-dominant business operator

In order to resolve the issue of illegal foreign workers in Thailand, and regulate those who hire them or help to bring them into the country, the government has urgently promulgated a new law, entitled the Royal Decree on Managing the Work of Foreigners B.E. 2560 (2017) (the New Law), which came into effect on June 23, 2017. It replaces and unifies the Working of Foreigner Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the Royal Decree on Recruitment of Foreigners B.E. 2559 (2016). The New Law is designed to systematically manage the employment of foreigners, regardless of the industry in which they work.

In Vietnam, granted patents can be amended under provisions found in Article 97 of the Law on Intellectual Property (IP Law). Under Article 97, a patent owner has the right to ask the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) to amend a granted patent for any of the following reasons:

Condominiums have long been one of the most popular properties for people living in Thailand’s big cities. The different units in a condominium are individually owned, while common properties, such as lobby areas or swimming pools, are jointly owned by the owners of individual condominium units.