According to The Nation, the number of newly-registered companies in Thailand has risen 8% since last year.

A report by the Business Development Department last month showed a total of 6,532 new companies having been registered. Most of these were in the construction, real estate, transportation and restaurant industries, indicating that now is a good time to start a business in Thailand in these sectors.

On the other hand, almost 2,000 companies were dissolved. This is a 7% decrease on last year. According to the report, these dissolutions occurred mostly in the sectors of consultancy, machinery wholesaling and electricity generation.

Kulanee Issadisai, director-general of the Business Development Department, said that the number of new company registrations has continued to rise year on year, and is expected to rise a further 3-5% due to economic expansion in the Kingdom.

Read the full story here

Related Articles: Important Changes to Copyright Law in Thailand

Image: Growth Fund

Commercial social media users will need to start being careful, with new copyright law meaning anyone using social media for commercial purposes MUST always give proper credit to the owners of images or video clips shared, reports Thai PBS.

Failing to comply could mean a jail sentence ranging from three months to two years, and receive a fine from Bt 50,000 to Bt 400,000.

Government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd has explained that the law aims to protect the creators of media works.

Thailand Copyright Attorneys Chaninat and Leeds have decades of experience in Copyright law and disputes over intellectual property

If a commercial entity uses an image or a video and does not cite proper ownership, they may face legal action for copyright violations. This new law will be enforced from August 4th.

Maj-Gen Kaewkamnerd suggests that anyone unsure of whether they are complying should seek permission from the owner of the works.

It is hoped that this change to copyright law will encourage greater digital innovations, with people safe in the knowledge that they will always be credited for their work.

Deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd says, “This new law will incentivize internet innovators and pave the way for new digital products and innovations, which will coincide with the government’s digital economy plans.”

Go to ThaiPBS for the full story.

See here for more on Copyright Law in Thailand.

Companies in Phuket have faced investigation by the Department of Special Investigation, for using Thai nominees to hold a majority stake, writes The Nation.

So far, four companies have been found guilty.

Under the Thai Foreign Business Act of 1999, foreigners are not permitted to own more than a 49% stake of businesses in certain industries, such as tourism, media, property development and telecommunications.

To circumvent such a law, some foreigners use Thai nationals as nominee shareholders.

The Commerce Ministry’s Business Development Department, working alongside the DSI and the Tourism Ministry, believes it has uncovered four firms out of more than 80 suspects, that are involved in such illegal practice.

Director-general of the ministry’s Business Development Department, Pongpun Gearaviriyapun, said last week that the four Phuket-based companies in question include one real estate and three tourism firms.

If found guilty, the offenders (both foreign and Thai) could face a fine between Bt100,000 – Bt1 Million, and/or three years jail time.

As well as Phuket, the DSI has also been conducting investigations in Bangkok, Pattaya, Samui and Hua Hun, and have found over 10 new suspects.

For the full story, see The Nation.

For more information on owning a business in Thailand as a foreigner, and about nominee shareholders, watch this video from Bangkok-based law firm Chaninat and Leeds:

VW has announced that it plans to open a factory in Thailand reports The Bangkok Post. It is hoped that the opening of the factory will help to narrow the gap with Toyota Motor Corp in Southeast Asia.

The Bangkok Post further revealed from sources who wished to remain unidentified that the Germany-based manufacturer is seeking to participate in a government programme offering tax exemptions for automakers investing at least 6.5 billion baht (US$200 million) in local manufacturing.

VW are one of the very few car firms who don’t have a factory here already.

The Board of Investment (commonly referred to as “BOI”) is a division of the Thai government intended to promote business start-ups and business projects in areas of industry and enterprise that are deemed desirable for the economic outlook of Thailand.

Industries receiving priority for Thailand BOI privileges are companies in high tech areas, manufacturing and exporting businesses and businesses showing good prospects for future growth.

Many smaller companies registering in Thailand  often assume that BOI privileges are only available to larger companies, such as Volkswagon. In reality smaller companies may also apply and receive BOI promotion provided they meet the BOI requirements.

Read the full story here 

International Non-Government Organizations (NGO) that may want to operate as an NGO in Thailand will normally have to register as a local foundation as a practical matter to operate in Thailand. Although there are provisions in Thai law that allows foreign NGO’s to act without such registration, as a practical matter a local, Thailand foundation registration is normally preferred. In the following video, Anna from Chaninat & Leeds Attorney’s at Law discusses NGO registration in Thailand. The Ministry of Interior generally requires that Thai NGOs have some Thai nationals represented as chair persons, or directors of that organization. A Thai NGO lawyer would be able to assist in sorting out the process and making recommendations on how to file the proper documents.

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