Aircraft lease agreements are commonly governed by the law of England and Wales, New York, or another common-law jurisdiction. This article examines the challenges of applying these and other foreign laws to an aircraft lease dispute in Thailand. The applicability of foreign law in Thailand is subject to the Conflict of Laws Act B.E. 2481 (1938). Section 8 of the Conflict of Laws Act states, “Whenever the law of a foreign country which is to govern is not proved to the satisfaction of the court, the internal law of Thailand shall apply.” According to this section, the burden of proof is on the party that claims the foreign law. The claiming party must prove to the court the existence of the foreign law and how the law applies. However, in aircraft lease disputes, especially those that involve seizing or repossessing aircraft, generally only Thai law will apply. Seizing or repossessing an aircraft involves Thai government authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and the Airports of Thailand (AOT), among others, and these authorities will only comply with Thai law. Moreover, foreign court judgments are not enforceable in Thailand. This means that any action to seize or repossess an aircraft in Thailand must be initiated in Thailand and using Thai law. Foreign court judgments, however, can be used as evidence and may be helpful in convincing the CAAT or court that the lessor is entitled to repossess an aircraft, and in proving damages. The Thai laws relevant in a hostile repossession or seizure action include the Air Navigation Act, the Civil and Commercial Code (CCC), and the Civil Proceedings Code (CPC). The CCC provides guidelines on contract termination and the rights of parties in lease agreements. Specifically, it outlines the conditions under which a lessor can terminate

Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has issued a notification announcing new and updated criteria for the approval of capital reductions for both life and non-life insurance companies. The notification was published in the Government Gazette on March 6, 2024. These updates aim to reduce the time required and relax and streamline the procedures for seeking OIC approval for capital reductions. Under the notification, general approval will be granted by the OIC upon submission of an application to the registrar if the capital reduction is to be implemented by way of: Removing registered shares that cannot be sold or that have not yet been issued for sale; or Reducing the share value or the number of shares to mitigate the accumulated loss. The reduction must not affect the share ratio of the shareholders in the financial statement and must comply with relevant laws, regulations, and accounting standards. After granting written approval, the registrar will notify the OIC to arrange for registration by the company. For more details on the OIC’s notification regarding capital reductions for life and non-life insurance companies, or for any issue concerning insurance regulations in Thailand, please contact Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh at [email protected], Witchupong Chittchang at [email protected], Ajaree Trachukul at [email protected], Thammapas Chanpanich at [email protected], or Sireethorn Wijan at [email protected].

In December 2023, Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) presented draft amendments to the country’s laws for life and non-life insurance, pointing to significant modifications ahead for the laws governing insurers. These amendments primarily aim to: Elevate governance standards within the insurance industry. Support compliance with the Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Address current regulatory enforcement issues. Harmonize governance standards for insurance businesses with those for financial institutions. The draft amendments involve changes to a wide range of regulatory areas; key changes include the following: Corporate Governance Expanding the definition of directors to include representatives of foreign insurers’ branches in Thailand. Imposing the same standards of care and obligations on “persons having the authority to manage the company” as on directors. Requiring OIC approval for appointment and reelection of directors. Expanding the list of prohibited connected transactions to include lease of property. Shareholding Requirements Requiring mandatory reporting to the OIC for individuals holding 5% or more of shares in an insurance company. Requiring regulatory approval for 10% shareholding and prohibiting exceeding the limit without OIC approval or compliance with subregulations. Dividend Payments Empowering the OIC to issue subregulations on dividend payments from both life and non-life insurance companies. Products and Distribution Permitting directors, staff, and employees to sell insurance products after obtaining relevant training from the OIC. Granting insurers discretion to set group insurance premium rates following regulations, methods, and conditions set out by the OIC without having to obtain OIC approval. Allowing insurers to underwrite foreign currency-based insurance. Allowing insurers to offer additional benefits beyond policy stipulations in compliance with the relevant OIC subregulations. Capital Fund and Finance Establishing minimum capital fund requirements of approximately THB 1 billion for non-life and THB 5 billion for life insurers. Imposing sanctions

As part of its membership in Lex Mundi, Tilleke & Gibbins has published an updated edition of its Guide to Doing Business in Thailand for 2023. This guide outlines the key factors for starting and operating a business in the Thai market. Issues covered include: Investment incentives Financial facilities Exchange controls Import and export regulations Structures for doing business Requirements for the Establishment of a Business Operation of the Business Cessation or Termination of the Business Labor legislation, relations, and supply Tax Immigration requirements This publication is part of Lex Mundi’s Country Guides series prepared by member firms in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide. The guides serve as a useful resource for planning international business strategy and researching new markets. The full Guide to Doing Business in Thailand is available through the button below.