As a small, landlocked nation, surrounded by heavily populated economic powerhouses, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) is often overlooked as a foreign investment destination in favor of its neighbors. However, Laos’ shared borders with Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and China place it in a uniquely appealing geographical position, with the potential to become a vibrant economic hub between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Thailand is a priority destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and has enjoyed steadily increasing FDI since the return of political stability in 2014. The current regime has made concerted efforts to consistently improve the country’s appeal as an FDI destination, resulting in an increasingly attractive and modern legal framework.

Foodpedia articles, published online on the ChemLinked Chemical Portal by REACH24H Consulting Group, provide an overview of the food industries in eight jurisdictions in Asia. An article on Food Regulation in Thailand, written by Alan Adcock, a partner and deputy director of the intellectual property and regulatory affairs group at Tilleke & Gibbins, provides an overview of the following subjects:

With its beautiful beaches, scenic mountains, and bustling cities, Thailand has long enjoyed a reputation as a popular tourist destination. At the same time, the country has also become an attractive hotspot for foreign nationals wishing to buy property

The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) has issued notifications applicable to life and non-life insurance companies, which are intended to emphasize the importance of internal risk management in insurance companies. The notifications were published in the Government Gazette  on September 1, 2017, and will take effect 180 days later on February 28, 2018.The notifications contain several requirements that life and non-life insurance companies must comply with:

On October 2, 2017, Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights submitted its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol, making Indonesia the 100th member state under the treaty. As a result, brand owners will be able to seek protection under the Madrid Protocol from January 2, 2018, onwards.

On August 25, the Customs Department of Hai Phong issued two decisions sanctioning a Vietnamese company for the import of trademark-infringing products and the import of prohibited goods, ending more than two months of customs clearance suspension proceedings. The decisions are groundbreaking because of customs’ pioneering standpoint in dealing with refurbished goods.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Thailand’s anti-corruption agency, has issued a new resource document called “Guidelines on Appropriate Internal Control Measures for Juristic Persons to Prevent Bribery of State Officials, Foreign Public Officials, and Agents of Public International Organizations” (“guidelines”).