On December 17, 2025, Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) issued a notice introducing a new digital system that allows e-commerce businesses to obtain required certificates and licenses through an online, application-based platform. Notice No. 3988, which will take effect on February 1, 2026, introduces the E-Trust platform, a downloadable application that allows e-commerce businesses to remotely obtain acknowledgement certificates and business operating licenses. New Digital Registration Options Under the previous framework established by the Decree on E-commerce (2021), businesses were required to complete registration exclusively through paper-based submissions. The new system now offers businesses two registration options: Traditional paper-based process at the Division of E-commerce Management within the MOIC; or Electronic registration and renewal through the E-Trust platform. This change is expected to streamline procedures, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance accessibility for businesses operating outside Vientiane. The E-Trust platform facilitates compliance for both individuals and legal entities required to submit applications and renewals for required certificates and licenses. The development is particularly beneficial for businesses located in remote provinces, as it eliminates the need for physical travel and significantly accelerates processing times. Compliance Requirements and Penalties Businesses must obtain or renew the required certificates and licenses to avoid sanctions under the Decision on Fines and Other Measures for Violation of the Decree and Regulations on E-commerce (No. 2828/MOIC, dated November 11, 2025). Penalties for noncompliance may include monetary fines and other enforcement measures.

Prior to the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft amendment to the Administrative Procedure Act, following review by the Council of State. If enacted, this reform will fundamentally change how state agencies process business applications and appeals by imposing enforceable timelines and legal consequences for inaction. The draft directly targets a longstanding commercial frustration: applications and appeals that vanish into administrative silence, stalling investment and foreclosing judicial review across sectors ranging from real estate and manufacturing to healthcare and finance. The “Silence Means Yes” Rule for Applications At the core of the reform is a new automatic “approval by implication” for applications subject to statutory processing deadlines. If an official fails to notify an applicant of a decision within the legally prescribed period, the application will be deemed approved as a matter of law. This presumption shifts the costs of delay from businesses to the bureaucracy and gives applicants a definitive legal position once time expires. The mechanism applies to routine licensing and registration matters governed by explicit consideration periods in existing statutes or ministerial regulations. Officials may extend the decision period by up to thirty days, but only if they notify the applicant before the original deadline and substantiate that the delay arises from genuinely exceptional circumstances beyond their control. Certain sensitive applications are expressly excluded from automatic approval, including those that may significantly affect national security or defense, public safety and health, the environment or natural resources, or national cultural heritage. Once the deadline passes without a decision, businesses can proceed with deployment of capital and operations—construction, hiring, procurement, and market entry—without waiting for formal permission that may never arrive. For time-sensitive projects, this materially reduces regulatory timing risk. The “Deemed Rejection” Rule for Appeals The draft introduces a parallel “deemed rejection”

Tilleke & Gibbins has contributed the Thailand chapter to International Trade 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. International Trade 2026 provides an overview of international trade laws and regulations across major jurisdictions. The guide is designed as a practical reference for businesses, in-house counsel, and legal practitioners dealing with cross-border trade, customs, and regulatory compliance. The Thailand chapter examines key aspects of Thailand’s international trade framework, including: WTO membership, plurilateral arrangements, and free trade agreements Customs authorities, enforcement agencies, and customs regulations Trade sanctions regimes and compliance obligations Export controls, restricted persons, and licensing requirements Antidumping, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures Investment security mechanisms and regulatory oversight Subsidy and incentive programs for domestic production Standards, technical requirements, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures Geographical protections and other trade-related regulatory measures The chapter also highlights recent developments and pending regulatory changes affecting trade and investment in Thailand. Chambers’ International Trade 2026 guide brings together contributions from leading law firms worldwide, offering up-to-date, jurisdiction-specific insight into the evolving global trade environment. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Vietnam chapter to International Trade 2026. A PDF of the Thailand chapter can be downloaded through the button below, and the full International Trade 2026 guide is available for free on the Chambers and Partners website.

Tilleke & Gibbins has authored the Vietnam chapter in International Trade 2026, published by Chambers and Partners. The guide offers comprehensive coverage of international trade regulation in leading jurisdictions and serves as a practical resource for organizations engaged in global trade and investment. The Vietnam chapter addresses a wide range of trade-related issues, including: WTO participation and regional and bilateral trade agreements Customs administration, enforcement, and applicable legal instruments Sanctions regimes and enforcement authorities Export controls, sensitive exports, and licensing requirements Antidumping and countervailing duty investigations and reviews Investment security mechanisms and notification requirements Subsidies, incentives, and measures affecting domestic production Standards, technical requirements, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures Geographical indications and other regulatory measures affecting trade In addition to outlining the current regulatory landscape, the chapter discusses recent developments and anticipated changes relevant to businesses trading with or operating in Vietnam. Chambers’ International Trade 2026 guide brings together contributions from leading law firms worldwide, offering up-to-date, jurisdiction-specific insight into the evolving global trade environment. Tilleke & Gibbins also contributed the Thailand chapter to International Trade 2026. A PDF of the Vietnam chapter can be downloaded through the button below, and the full International Trade 2026 guide is available for free on the Chambers and Partners website.