In November 2019, the National Assembly of Vietnam issued a new version of the Labor Code, which serves as the principal legislation on employment and labor relationships in Vietnam, covering domestic and foreign employers and employees. The changes found in the new law are more incremental than sweeping, and generally serve to close loopholes and clarify vague provisions in the existing Labor Code of 2012.While the new Labor Code will not take effect until January 1, 2021, employers operating in Vietnam should note the key changes now to facilitate timely implementation.

On January 17, 2020, Thailand’s current Trade Competition Commission (TCC) again showed their proactive approach to enforcement by issuing guidelines for competition litigation under the Trade  Competition Act B.E. 2560 (2017). This act prohibits anticompetitive actions, abuse of dominant market power, cartels, collusion, restrictive agreements or arrangements, and unfair trade practices. The new rules give clear guidance to both the TCC and the public, and will help competition litigation proceed more quickly in order to protect free and fair trade in Thai markets. 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) mainly consist of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, and are the most frequent causes of death worldwide. A 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on NCDs notes that 41 million people die annually from NCDs (71% of global deaths), including 15 million people who die before the age of 70.

If your company has been doing business in Thailand, you might already be aware of the additional corporate tax reporting requirement for the accounting period for the 2019 fiscal year (FY2019), starting from January 1, 2019. Under the new requirements, companies with income of at least THB 200 million that transacted with related parties are now required to file a transfer pricing disclosure form with the Revenue Department (RD) upon filing the annual corporate income tax return, called a PND.50. This new two-page form is the Transfer Pricing Disclosure Form.

Loi Krathong is one of the most popular festivals in Thailand, taking place across the country every year in November, in which people gather at night to release elaborately decorated candle-floats called krathong into bodies of water. Although normally a joyful occasion, an incident during 2019’s Loi Krathong unexpectedly brought copyright infringement to the fore.    

On September 30, 2019, the Indonesian president, through an initiative of the Ministry of Education and Culture, issued Presidential Regulation No. 63 of 2019 regarding the Use of the Indonesian Language (PR 63). This regulation is the implementing rule of Law No. 24 of 2009 regarding National Flag, Language, Emblem, and National Anthem.     

As both China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the US-China trade war continue to impact the decisions of investors around the world, Southeast Asia has witnessed exponential growth in its cross-border investment and international trade with China. In recent years, and most especially in recent months, ASEAN-bloc countries have stepped up to present a more stable, sheltered option for investors looking to operate internationally.