On June 19, 2018, Vietnam’s prime minister issued Directive No. 17/CT-TTg on strengthening the fight against smuggling, commercial fraud, and the production and trade of fake goods and low-quality goods for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods (Directive 17). Directive 17 states that, while tens of thousands of cases have been discovered and handled, the situation still needs improvement, as infringers are using more complex methods and are located not only in urban areas, but also in many remote regions.

On June 15, 2018, Vietnam’s government issued Decree No. 87 on Business in Gases, which governs various aspects of doing business in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and others.

The National Assembly of Vietnam passed an updated version of the Law on Competition on June 12, 2018. The new law governs merger control and anti-competitive activities in the Vietnam market and will take effect on July 1, 2019, replacing the current Law on Competition of 2004.

Thailand’s Department of Business Development (DBD) is currently reviewing the possibility of liberalizing five businesses under List 3 of the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA), which currently restricts  foreigners from having ownership of more than 49%.

Vietnam’s new Law on Cybersecurity was finally adopted by the National Assembly on June 12, 2018, after more than a dozen drafts and wide debate in the business and government sectors. This Cybersecurity Law imposes tremendous obligations on both onshore and, especially, offshore companies providing online services to customers in Vietnam.

On May 22, 2018, the government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 81/2018/ND-CP providing detailed regulations for the implementation of the Commercial Law for commercial enhancement activities (Decree 81). Decree 81 will come into effect on July 15, 2018, replacing Decree No. 37/2006/ND-CP, dated April 4, 2006 (Decree 37).

As Thailand gradually transforms into an ageing society, the potential economic and social burden of retiring workers is one issue that is likely to be on the minds of many employees, employers, and policymakers.New amendments to Thailand’s Labor Protection Act have addressed this issue by introducing a retirement regime for the Thai private sector employees, placing severance obligations on employers, enhancing protection for employees, and creating a more effective framework for enforcement of labour laws.

On May 25, 2018, the new Law on Intellectual Property No. 38/NA, dated November 15, 2017 (the “New IP Law”), was officially published on the electronic Lao official gazette. The New IP Law will be effective 15 days after its publication. The New IP Law replaces the Law on Intellectual Property No. 01/NA, dated December 20, 2011.