Thailand faces the need for new public infrastructure and expanded public services, for which substantial investment will be required. Investment by the government can have a major impact on public finances, and so it is an attractive option to shift these costs to the private sector, in the form of public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Companies dealing with customs disputes in Thailand face a number of significant decisions in determining how they should respond.One possible option is to consider settlement with the Customs Department at a pre-litigation stage or even after claims have been filed. Specifically, a company facing a customs dispute has the right to enter into a settlement agreement with the Customs Department under sections 102 and 102 bis of the Customs Act B.E. 2469 (1926).

Consultants David Duncan and Kasma Visitkitjakarn of the Tilleke & Gibbins corporate and commercial group have coauthored the Thailand chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Telecoms, Media, and Internet Laws and Regulations 2014 (7th edition), a Q&A-style guide that covers 35 different jurisdictions. The chapter gives insight into Thailand’s changing regulatory landscape in the telecommunications and media industries. In particular, it covers:

The Vietnamese government has enacted a new regulation on sanctions against industrial property infringement by the administrative route. The regulation is Decree No. 99/2013/ND-CP, dated August 28, 2013 (Decree 99) and will come into effect on October 15, 2013, replacing Decree 97/2010/ND-CP (Decree 97). The passage of the decree comes as the result of the enactment of the 2012 Law on Handling Administrative Violations, which aims to guide the implementation of the law in the field of industrial property rights.

The 4th edition of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Patents provides a practical cross-border insight into patent law, across 33 jurisdictions. Partner Nandana Indananda and attorney-at-law Nuttaphol Arammuang, of the Tilleke & Gibbins intellectual property team, have coauthored this year’s chapter on patent law in Thailand.Presented in Q&A form, the chapter covers:

The importance of understanding employment law, both for employers and employees, can never be emphasized enough. There are statutes and regulations in place which, if not followed, may lead to severe consequences for the violating party. To help employers and employees avoid potentially costly legal ramifications, partner Michael K. Lee and attorney-at-law Huong Thi Thanh Nguyen have coauthored the Vietnam chapter of How to Hire and Fire (3rd Edition), published by Multilaw.

Partner Pimvimol (June) Vipamaneerut and consultant David Duncan of the Tilleke & Gibbins corporate and commercial group, have coauthored the Thailand chapter of How to Hire and Fire (3rd Edition). Published by Multilaw, this guide looks at key issues relating to labor and employment law in Thailand, such as:

It seems that everyone wants to invest in Myanmar, but no one knows quite where to start. Many potential investors—from pioneering entrepreneurs to leading multinational corporations—are in a holding pattern, eager to share the country’s immense potential, yet wary of moving in too soon and getting burned.If you are thinking about investing in Myanmar, you should start by protecting your intellectual assets. Whether you plan to invest now or later, protecting your trademark in Myanmar will help to establish your rights to your brand in the local market.