The 1997 Asian financial crisis had crippled many Asian economies in its wake, but it had also left behind it a lasting legacy to the economies that it ravaged. Faced with sharp economic slowdown and a wave of corporate defaults, Thailand revamped its banking and financial institutions including various legal infrastructures. For example, it made a major amendment to its antiquated bankruptcy laws to allow for corporate restructuring similar to U.S. Chapter 11 procedures.

One of the grounds for dismissal with cause under Section 119 of the Labour Protection Act is when an employee repeats wrongdoing for which a warning letter has previously been issued. The employer may issue a warning letter for a violation of the work rules, and when the employee later commits the same violation, the employer believes that he is within his rights to dismiss the employee for serious cause.

In Thailand, the franchising agreement is a legally binding agreement which outlines the franchisor’s terms and conditions for the franchisee. As in most jurisdictions, it governs duties, rights, and obligations between the parties. The franchisor transfers to the franchisee a concept, a brand, and know-how, while the franchisee agrees to obey to all the specifications of the franchisor.

The year 2008 saw several developments in Vietnamese IP legislation that are expected to improve the country’s enforcement regime. Notably, Vietnam finally issued long-awaited guidelines on handling IP crimes.

Under the Plant Varieties Protection Act, the right holder of a new plant variety has the sole rights to produce, sell or distribute, import, export, or possess for the aforementioned purposes. In this context, the eligibility and practicality for a foreign applicant who wishes to seek protection for its creation under the Act is a key issue.

Most foreign investors doing business in Thailand are aware of the 49% limit on foreign ownership in reserved businesses under the Foreign Business Act (FBA). A wide range of common businesses, including trading and services, are reserved under the lists annexed to the FBA. Lacking proper legal advice on legitimate solutions, investors commonly take the easy path by engaging Thai nominees to hold a 51% stake in the business on their behalf.

This article provides a thorough overview of Thailand’s bankruptcy system, liquidation, and business reorganization processes. Relevant laws and procedures are cited throughout the document for the reader’s attention.

In September 2008, China once again found itself at the center of international media attention for all the wrong reasons. Reports circulated that four infants had died and more than 50,000 others had fallen ill after consuming dairy products that had been contaminated by melamine. Although initial reports focused only on one milk producer, it soon became clear that more than twenty companies were implicated in the scandal. As thousands of anxious parents queued for hours in hospitals waiting for their children to be checked for kidney ailments, Chinese officials were spurred into action.