Business activity is on the rise in Thailand as the Department of Business Development (DBD) reports an escalating number of newly incorporated companies and, at the same time, an increasing number of company closures and dormant/defunct companies. The process for closing a company, however, is more complicated and time-consuming than the process of incorporation. To successfully close a company, business owners must be well prepared and informed.

As the world is becoming more globalised, marriage between people of different nationalities is also becoming commonplace. In Thailand, marriages have been taking place between Thai nationals and foreign nationals for many decades. Such international marriages often raise cultural, religious and legal issues for the spouses. Prior to marriage, the spouses will need to decide where they will marry, where they will live and, if they plan to have children, what nationality their children will be and how and where they will be raised.

This chapter provides an overview of the arbitration system in Thailand. The chapter covers laws and institutions, arbitration agreements, arbitral tribunals, procedural issues, and awards, among other areas.

Written in a Q&A format, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the issues faced by life sciences companies in Thailand. Topics covered include the regulatory framework, manufacturing of medicinal products, clinical trials, marketing restrictions, packaging and labeling requirements, intellectual property issues, and product liability.

This chapter provides an overview of the legal system and key laws for foreign companies doing business in Thailand. Presented in a question-and-answer format, the chapter examines the rules governing foreign investment, business vehicles, employment, tax, competition, intellectual property, marketing agreements, e-commerce, data protection, and product liability.

In today’s increasingly global business environment, parties drafting contracts are routinely presented with options on how they wish to resolve business disputes under contract. This choice almost always includes arbitration of disputes, often in jurisdictions outside of Thailand. However, where asset recovery or enforcement is sought within Thailand under a foreign arbitral award, Thai laws and procedures govern parties’ rights and obligations. This article provides a general overview of the enforcement of all arbitral awards in Thailand, with a focus on those originating abroad.

The New Film and Video Act, which entered into force on June 4, 2008, has been implemented in order to update the antiquated 1930 Movie and Video Act, which was widely criticized by the filmmakers notably regarding the wide censorship powers of the Board of Film and Video Censors (Board). The Act brings changes especially on the composition and duties of the Board, on the new rating system, on the procedure for shooting foreign films in Thailand, and on the piracy of movies in the streets.

The Securities and Exchange Act 1992 has recently been amended by the Securities and Exchange Act (No. 4), which among other changes, sets forth major amendments in three important areas: (1) reorganization of the structure of the Securities Exchange Commission; (2) enhancement of mechanisms related to investor protection; and (3) supportive mechanism for effective enforcement of securities laws. This article provides an overview of the amendment.