Ministry of the Interior, which handled (and still handles) a broad portfolio of issues, including labor matters, at that time. More recently, however, labor statutes have been enacted through parliamentary processes with the approval of the King. The Ministry of Labor has developed into a sizable regulator, and it has issued numerous labor regulations.

The blooming of global investment has been shrinking the world and blurring national borders. In our region, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) blueprint is designed to establish ASEAN as a single market and production base. It is hoped that ASEAN will become more dynamic and competitive, with new ways to expedite existing economic initiatives. The AEC is paving the way for a freer flow of skilled labor across borders, especially in eight professions: medical doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers, architects, accountants, surveyors and tourism professionals.

Published by Tilleke & Gibbins in association with Lex Mundi, the Guide to Doing Business in Thailand  provides a comprehensive overview of the legal environment for investors entering the Thai market. Topics covered in the guide include the political and economic situation, import and export regulations, exchange controls, tax, requirements for establishment of a business, structures for doing business, cessation or termination of a business, labor legislation, and immigration requirements. The guide provides an invaluable primer for investors new to Thailand.

Michael K. Lee and Vinh Quoc Nguyen of Tilleke & Gibbins were responsible for writing the Vietnam chapter in Multilaw’s recently published Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Project. The chapter reviews how creditors can enforce foreign court judgments under Vietnam’s Civil Proceedings Code, the Law on Enforcement of Civil Judgments, and the Ordinance on Court Fees. In addition to enforcement issues, the authors summarize the process for obtaining interim preliminary injunctive relief and provide an overview of arbitration issues.

Working with the litigation and dispute resolution practice group within Multilaw, Tilleke & Gibbins contributed the Thailand chapter to the organization’s Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Project. Written by Michael Ramirez, the Thailand chapter discusses the challenges of enforcing foreign judgments in Thailand, while also reviewing the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Drawing on provisions of the Thai Arbitration Act, the chapter outlines such issues as procedures, time limits, oppositions, and debt recovery.

In the face of the weak global economy, businesses in Thailand have suffered an additional burden caused by local factors such as catastrophic flooding and political unrest. These combined stresses have tested many businesses to the breaking point, and restructuring of operations has become commonplace for businesses seeking to survive the harsh economic climate.

The streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are being filled with popular brand names of international franchises like KFC, Lotteria, and Circle K. Yet a foreign tourist wishing to find the nearest McDonald’s for a quick bite or a corner 7-Eleven for forgotten travel necessities would be rather surprised to find that these brands, so common in Asia and around the world, are still absent from the Vietnamese market (at the time of this writing).

After lengthy debates, negotiations, and several redrafts, the National Assembly of Vietnam finally passed the new Labor Code (10/2012/QH13) on June 18, 2012. The new Labor Code, which will take effect on May 1, 2013, will replace the current Labor Code of 1994 with the stated aim of improving the labor market and industrial relations in Vietnam. From an employer’s perspective, however, the new Code appears set to strengthen the position of employees and decrease management flexibility.