On May 20, Tilleke & Gibbins collaborated with Clyde & Co to offer a webinar entitled “Data Protection Updates and Data Breach Lessons in Asia Pacific.” During the session, partner Athistha (Nop) Chitranukroh shared an overview of Thailand’s upcoming Personal Data Protection Act and related data breach requirements. She also detailed the responsibilities of data controllers, key compliance requirements for handling personal data, and cross-border transfer restrictions according to Thai legislation. Following this Thailand-themed presentation, Giang Thi Huong Tran, a consultant in the firm’s corporate and commercial team in Hanoi, gave the latest updates on pending personal data protection legislation in Vietnam. In her part of the webinar, she outlined key issues of Vietnam’s draft decree, pointed out notable changes and concerns regarding the upcoming regulations, and provided practical guidelines for adapting to the expected changes.

On May 13, Charuwan Charoonchitsathian and Nopparat Lalitkomon, attorneys in Tilleke & Gibbins’ Bangkok office, presented a webinar entitled “How e-signatures can streamline Thai business operations,” in collaboration with True Digital Park—one of Southeast Asia’ largest tech hubs. During the hour-long online session, Charuwan and Nopparat discussed the increased acceptance and use of e-signatures in Thailand over the past few years, provided an overview of the local regulatory framework applicable to e-signatures that business operators must comply with, and explored how companies in Thailand can use e-signatures to streamline interactions with their customers, suppliers, and other contractual counterparties. A recording of the webinar, which was presented in Thai, is available on Tilleke & Gibbins’ YouTube channel.

On May 13, 2021, Peeyakorn Suparugbundit, an attorney-at-law in Tilleke & Gibbins’ intellectual property group, will speak at an upcoming Pint of Science Thailand event to provide a legal perspective on scientific achievements and advancement today. Her presentation will explain how researchers and organizations can protect their important cutting-edge discoveries and ensure they are able to benefit from and apply their scientific developments. Peeyakorn will draw especially on her deep experience advising clients—many of whom are in the life sciences industry—on patent applications, management of patent portfolios, and patent enforcement matters. Peeyakorn will be joined by several scientists and researchers presenting on a diverse range of timely scientific topics, such as a study on the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, an explanation of bacterial contagion and evolution, the importance of testing clinical advances through randomized controlled trials, and a look at the causes and impact of the annual “smoky season” in Chiang Mai. Pint of Science Thailand is an annual festival that brings interesting and relevant scientific talks to the public in an accessible and fun format. This year’s festival consists of multiple virtual events; the one on May 13 is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand and can be viewed live online with free registration. For more information and to register, please visit the Pint of Science Thailand website.

On April 27, 2021, Joseph Tomkiewicz, partner and co-chair of Tilleke & Gibbins’ energy practice, will moderate an online panel discussion on challenges and opportunities facing the rooftop solar energy market in Thailand. The session will open with presentations from Lim Cheong Boon, APAC head of product and marketing for Trina Solar, and Jell Jiang, manager of GoodWe’s operations in Southeast Asia and Pakistan. They will then be joined by Michael Belov, country head of Thailand for Cleantech Solar, and Joseph, who will moderate their panel discussion on trends in the rooftop solar marketplace in Thailand. The guided conversation will also focus on prospects for rooftop solar activities and investment in Thailand, as well as practical considerations to be aware of when selecting sites and preparing to enter the rooftop solar energy market in the country. The webinar is free to attend and will be held from 2:00 to 3:25 p.m. (GMT+7) via Zoom. For more details and to register, please visit the webinar registration page.