Thailand Becomes the Second Largest Investors of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in Myanmar

The Thilawa Special Economic Zone (“TSEZ”) is a 2,500 hectares industrial complex being developed in Kyauktan and Thanlyin Townships, 25 kilometers from Yangon under a joint venture between the governments of Myanmar and Japan and some other private investors. As of October 2016, more than US$800 million have been invested in the TSEZ.  A total… Read More

News / 31 Oct 2016

Two More Foreign Banks Obtained the Final Foreign License to Operate a Branch in Myanmar

On 27th September 2016, the Foreign Bank Licensing Committee (“FBLC”) under the Central Bank of Myanmar (“CBM”) granted approval for two foreign banks, the State Bank of India and E Sun Commercial Bank Ltd. of Taiwan for commencing operations from 3rd October 2016. Foreign Banks with Current Licenses As of October 2016, 13 foreign banks… Read More

News / 31 Oct 2016

Relaxation of Rules for Employing Long-term Foreign Residents in Thailand

On the 18th of August 2016, the Cabinet approved in principle a Ministerial Regulation Draft (the “MRA”) and a Prime Minister’s Office Announcement (the “PMOA”) for relaxing certain rules of the Working of Alien Act B.E. 2551 (2008) (the “Alien Act”) for long-term foreign residents in Thailand. Under the MRA, foreigners who had been living… Read More

News / 31 Oct 2016

Thai Phatthalung Rice Granted GI Protection in EU

On 12th October 2016, the European Commission released the news that the Commission has awarded intellectual protection to Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung (“Phatthalung Rice”), a golden rice registered as a GI in Thailand 10 years ago, as a Protected Geographical Indication (“PGI”). It is described in the Official Journal of the European Union granting the… Read More

News / 31 Oct 2016

Corporate Income Tax Exemption for Social Enterprises

The Royal Decree Issued under the Revenue Code, Re: Tax Exemption (No. 621) B.E. 2559 (A.D.2016) (the “Royal Decree”) was published in the Government Gazette on 30th August 2016 and came into effect on 31st August 2016 to grant corporate income tax exemption to social enterprises. Social Enterprises  Under the Royal Decree, a social enterprise (the “SE”)… Read More

News / 25 Oct 2016

Thailand 4.0: Phuket and Chiang Mai as Digital Economy Clusters

On 16th September 2016, the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha attended the opening of the ”Start-up Thailand and Digital Thailand 2016” event in Phuket. He reiterated the commitment of the Government to promote startups and to transform Phuket into a smart city. The ultimate aim of the Government is to digitalize the economy and society of Thailand so Thailand… Read More

News / 25 Oct 2016