On October 22, 2025, the Thai government posted a directive not to grant gambling licenses for gambling involving poker nationwide to crack down on illegal gambling activities. The directive was issued by Thailand’s Ministry of Interior to align with government policies to prevent the legalization of all types of gambling businesses, including poker as a sporting activity. This will result in the revocation of poker activities as sport and institute a strict ban on such activities nationwide. Businesses should note the new government’s strict approach toward gambling activities as the legal situation regarding gambling in the country continues to draw close attention.

Myanmar’s customs authorities have introduced new procedures allowing copyright holders to protect their intellectual property from infringing goods at the border. The Ministry of Finance and Revenue issued Notification No. 107/2025 on September 11, 2025, establishing rules and requirements for customs recordation under the Copyright Law of 2019. The notification includes eight official forms for copyright-related customs matters—three for applicants and five for the Customs Department. This was followed by Customs Department Announcement No. 1/2025, dated September 29, 2025, which details the security required for suspended goods. Customs recordation provides a proactive mechanism for rights holders to prevent importation of pirated works. By registering their works with the Customs Department, rights holders gain access to enhanced border enforcement measures, empowering customs officials to identify and intercept pirated goods before they enter the market. While copyright protection in Myanmar arises automatically under the Copyright Law of 2019, a registration certificate for copyright or related rights is required to apply for customs recordation. Customs Recordation Registered copyright and related rights holders can apply directly or through authorized legal representatives for customs recordation to prevent cross-border trade in pirated works. Applications must use the prescribed form and include all supporting documentary evidence specified in the form. The Customs Department will notify applicants within 15 days of receiving their application. Each recordation remains valid for two years from the date of acceptance and may be renewed for successive two-year periods by submitting a renewal application at least 30 days before expiration. Rights holders whose works are recorded must notify the Customs Department within five days of any amendment or withdrawal of information at the Intellectual Property Department. Suspension Orders Registered copyright and related rights holders can request a suspension order to prevent release of pirated goods into free circulation, regardless of whether they

Attorneys from Tilleke & Gibbins’ Yangon office have contributed Employment and Employee Benefits in Myanmar: Overview, a Q&A-style guide published by Thomson Reuters Practical Law. The resource provides a concise overview of key legal and practical considerations for employers operating in Myanmar and reflects the country’s most recent regulatory developments in employment law. The chapter addresses the following core topics: Scope of employment regulation: Application of Myanmar labor laws to foreign nationals and Myanmar citizens working abroad. Employment status: Classification of workers, statutory employment rights, and requirements for official employment contracts. Regulation of the employment relationship: Mandatory contract provisions, collective agreements, and procedures for amending employment terms. Wages and working hours: National minimum wage updates, overtime rules, and leave entitlements. Termination of employment: Notice requirements, severance payments, and protections against dismissal. Discrimination and harassment: Statutory protections and remedies under Myanmar labor law. Health and safety: Employer obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Law and related regulations. Tax and social security: Income tax rates for resident and non-resident employees, and mandatory employer and employee contributions. Intellectual property and post-employment restrictions: Ownership of employee-created IP and enforceability of non-compete clauses. Practical Law, a leading legal reference resource from Thomson Reuters, publishes a wide range of comparative guides for jurisdictions and practice areas worldwide. Its Employment and Employee Benefits series provides practical insights into employment law regimes across numerous countries. To view the latest version of the Myanmar overview, please visit the Practical Law website and enroll in a free trial for full access.

Global trade has become an everyday issue with immense effects on trade and the economy. Today’s global trade climate sees countries around the world engaged in trade negotiations aspiring to eliminate trade barriers. Customs tariffs and associated privileges are among the issues that most impact global trade flows and the import-export sector. Thailand has negotiated customs tariff privileges as part of its 14 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 18 countries, including six bilateral and eight regional agreements. These FTAs set forth criteria for member states to comply with and adopt into national law. To achieve customs privileges, one of the most important criteria is rules of origin, which indicate the originating country of imported or exported goods and the accompanying duty rates or privileges for reduction or exemption. Rules of Origin Under FTAs The rules of origin mapped out in FTAs allow for duty exemptions or rate reductions based on the determination of goods’ country of origin. This largely includes two main categories: Wholly obtained (WO) means the product was entirely produced in a single originating country and does not include any foreign (non-originating) content or manufacturing process. Product specific rules (PSR) are detailed criteria that define how each product’s origin is determined. PSR criteria that are often found in FTAs include “change in tariff classification” (determining origin based on sufficient transformation of materials), “regional value content” (requiring a minimum percentage of value to be added locally), and specific manufacturing or processing operations (mandating particular production steps occur in the originating country). These criteria also extend to cover other subordinated methods of verification, such as accumulation rules and de minimis rules, to provide more flexibility for the establishment of origins and tariff privileges under such FTAs. Compliance Challenges Despite attempts to promote international trade and eliminate trade barriers through