Recognizing the importance of foreign investment for its economic growth, Thailand has through the years relaxed restrictive investment laws and regulations, thus favorably positioning itself as a prime market for cross-border M&A activity. Continuing the trend toward investment liberalization, the Bank of Thailand and the Ministry of Finance will implement the second phase of the Financial Sector Master Plan over the course of 2010-2014, which will grant waivers on income tax, specific business tax, and stamp duty for earnings on merger and acquisition activities.

One question that is frequently asked by individual shareholders concerns the utilization of tax credit on dividends granted under Section 47 bis of the Thai Revenue Code. This article will discuss the conditions for using tax credit and explain how the tax credit can benefit a shareholder.

The registration of a pharmaceutical product with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be extremely time consuming, even for straightforward cases. In order to avoid any delays, it is important that the product dossier be meticulously prepared prior to submitting all relevant documents to the FDA, especially the quality part of the documentation.

Every day, you control your health and finances. You decide whether to go to the doctor when you become ill or are injured. You also decide whether to purchase, sell, or gift your assets. In case of severe sickness or injury or death, the law must take over to best carry out your wishes.In our July 15 column we discussed the importance of drawing up your will. Today we will discuss living wills and the right to refuse medical treatment.

This article first appeared on WTR Daily, part of World Trademark Review, in May 2011. For further information, please visit www.worldtrademarkreview.com.On March 23, 2011, the Department of Business Development of the Ministry of Commerce organized a public hearing on a new Act entitled the “Franchise Business Operations Act.”

When Khun Nong’s father passed away from a heart attack, it was a very emotional time. After several days of funeral rites, family members returned to their homes abroad, and Khun Nong was on her own and emotionally exhausted. Nevertheless, it was time to start settling the estate.

In the face of escalating inflation, the Vietnamese government is eagerly trying to reduce the imports of luxury goods to slow down the erosion of its foreign currency reserves. As a result, the Ministry of Information and Communications has recently updated the regulation on the importation of certain goods directly under its supervision, particularly mobile phones. The new Circular No. 14/2011/TT-BTTTT (Circular 14) was issued on June 7, 2011, replacing the earlier Circular No. 02/2006/TT-BBCVT dated April 24, 2006 (Circular 02).

Advertising of pharmaceutical products is heavily regulated in many jurisdictions, and Vietnam is no exception. The Vietnam chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Pharmaceutical Advertising 2011, written by Tra Thanh Nguyen and Dung Thi Kim Vu of Tilleke & Gibbins, provides essential advice for pharmaceutical companies as they seek to market their products in this country.