The Thai cabinet has approved a draft amendment of the Emergency Decree on Measures for the Prevention and Suppression of Technological Crimes as proposed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to strengthen measures against technological crimes, particularly targeting call center scams and cyber fraud. Following the Council of State’s review, the emergency decree will be tentatively enacted by February 2025, becoming effective immediately upon publication in the Government Gazette. While the draft amendment is not yet publicly available, the government recently indicated that the emergency decree aims to empower authorities with decisive measures to combat cybercrime effectively. It underscores the shared responsibility among various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and online platforms, in safeguarding against technological crimes. Key provisions of the draft amendment of the emergency decree include: Telecommunications provider obligations: Telecommunications service providers must suspend SIM cards associated with criminal activities. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and mobile service providers themselves are authorized to temporarily suspend mobile phone numbers if there is reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activities. Banking responsibilities: Financial institutions are required to promptly report mule accounts to the Anti-Money Laundering Office to facilitate quick restitution to victims. The Anti-Money Laundering Transaction Committee is empowered to order the return of funds to victims without requiring a final court ruling. Penalties for noncompliance: The amended emergency decree introduces penalties for noncompliance by regulated entities that fail to prevent criminal activities for offenses related to technology crimes in the following cases: Digital asset services: Those engaged in the buying, selling, or exchanging of digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and digital tokens, as well as digital asset businesses that launder money obtained from online crimes by converting it into digital currency, will be subject to imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to

Thailand’s Ministry of Energy (MOE) has announced the launch of the 25th bidding round for petroleum exploration and production. This round offers nine greenfield onshore blocks—seven in northeastern Thailand and two in central Thailand—encompassing over 33,000 km². The bids can be submitted from July 1 to July 16, 2025. The sizes and locations of these blocks are: Northeast Thailand Block L1/66: 3,223.51 km² (Khon Kaen, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani) Block L2/66: 3,917.03 km² (Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Udon Thani) Block L3/66: 3,918.22 km² (Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Udon Thani) Block L4/66: 3,656.65 km² (Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Yasothon) Block L5/66: 3,436.01 km² (Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima) Block L7/66: 3,438.51 km² (Buri Ram, Maha Sarakham, Nakhon Ratchasima, Roi Et, Surin, Khon Kaen) Block L9/66: 3,885.44 km² (Nakhon Ratchasima) Central Thailand Block L6/66: 3,966.86 km² (Chaiyaphum, Lop Buri, Phetchabun) Block L8/66: 3,957.41 km² (Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri) Bidding Process Interested companies must submit their bids to the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) between July 1 and July 16, 2025. Bids should include: Application form (ChorThor/Por1) Proof of eligibility: Corporate documentation, audited financial statements, and proof of resources Technical and commercial proposals: Exploration plans, geological surveys, financial and work commitments, and special benefits such as signing bonuses of at least USD 100,000. There is a nonrefundable THB 50,000 application fee per block, and applicants must provide a bid bond of THB 3 million per block via an unconditional bank guarantee from a commercial bank with branches in Thailand, valid for at least one year from the bidding submission date. The guarantee will be returned to unsuccessful bidders upon request and to successful bidders upon the signing of the concession agreement. Eligibility Bidders must meet the following main eligibility criteria: Bidders must be limited companies with the following qualifications: The company must have the objective of

Following Vietnam’s adoption of the new Law on Data (“Data Law”) on November 30, 2024, there remained uncertainty as to what impact the new framework would have on businesses in Vietnam and abroad. The government has now released a package of four draft legal documents aimed at guiding the implementation of the Data Law: (1) a decree on the National Data Development Fund (“NDDF Decree”), (2) a decree related to regulations on scientific, technological, and innovation activities and data products and services (“Decree on Specific Activities”), (3) a decree detailing a number of articles and measures to implement the Data Law (“Implementation Decree”), and (4) a decision on the lists of important data and core data. This article will provide an overview of the draft legislation. 1. NDDF Decree The draft NDDF Decree relates to the establishment, management and use of a National Data Development Fund (“NDDF”), which is a non-profit and non-budgetary state financial fund established and managed by the Minister of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The NDDF has legal personality and is fully state owned, operating similarly to a single-member limited liability company. Its main objectives are to support, promote, and invest in artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other new technologies and innovation. The NDDF may lend to, invest in, or otherwise support eligible organizations. The draft NDDF Decree also proposes a series of regulations on donations to the NDDF and from the NDDF (through expense support), the lending activities of the NDDF to commercial banks, which will in turn lend to eligible organizations, the investment activities in data products and services innovative start-ups, and other kinds of support. The government commits to provide VND 1 trillion (approx. USD 40 million) to the NDDF, evidencing the importance the government places on

Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, through the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), recently held a focus group hearing on the draft Gaming Industry Promotion Act. This legislation seeks to strike a balance by promoting the growth of the online game industry while safeguarding society, with a particular focus on protecting youth from potential negative impacts and enhancing a positive gaming environment. From the public releases, the draft act is expected to address several key aspects, including: Registration requirements for key industry players, such as developers and platform providers. It is also worth monitoring whether these requirements will also apply to offshore entities offering services to users in Thailand. Governance measures, such as game rating systems and measures to address online gambling and violence in games. Incentives, such as the establishment of a fund to support the gaming industry, and tax incentives to promote Thai gaming businesses. DEPA plans to incorporate feedback from the focus group hearing to refine the Draft Act. The legislation is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval by April 2025, with enactment expected by the end of 2025. As this draft law is still at an early stage, amendments may be introduced during the legislative process. Businesses and stakeholders in the gaming industry are encouraged to monitor the matter closely and assess how the developing legislation may impact their operations.