Thailand’s recently passed amendments to its Labor Protection Act, which lay out specific remedies for employees terminated as a result of automation or other technological advancements.

The changes come as many workers either have been or face being replaced in the future by AI, robotics, machinery, algorithms, and computer programs that can do menial labor at far cheaper and more productive rates.

Firstly, the Labor Protection Act amendments state that employees laid off due to automation must be given advance notice of termination of at least 60 days or 60 days’ worth of wages.

For normal firings not involving automation, only 30 days notice or 30 days’ pay is required.

The business must also notify labor inspectors also 60 days ahead of any terminations due to tech advancements or face a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

Thailand’s labor laws regulate everything from workplace conditions and work hours to maternity leave and social security.

Any companies that lay off workers replaced by technology also must pay special severance payments based on the laid-off employee’s last salary and experience at the company.

For example, an employee who had worked at the company between 120 days and one year would receive 30 days worth of severance pay. An employee with 10 to 20 years of experience would receive 300 days of severance payments.

Read more about the changes to the Labor Protection Act amendments concerning automation here.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has been chosen as the authoritative power over cryptocurrency regulation, due to the decades of experience it has had in the development of virtual currency in Thailand. They are currently in the process of drafting up guidelines for ICO’s, which should be ready later this month.

Criminal convictions and other anti social behavior may be grounds for divorce according to Divorce Attorneys in Thailand

In addition to the draft, a royal decree must also be passed to give the law regulatory power. Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, chairman of the Thai Fintech Association, has voiced his full support for the SEC to oversee the regulations as they already have a “profound understanding of digital assets”.

The SEC states that Thailand is an ICO friendly country and those involved in the digital currency market also agree that ICO’s need to be regulated through dedicated portal based in Thailand.

Read the full story here

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The decriminalization of marijuana and hemp in Thailand has been a slow process, compared to other countries in the world. Mainly because the government has yet to separate the two types of substances, one having a more THC value than the other.

The initiation of hemp fields in the North of Thailand has excited business owners who want to incorporate the hemp material into their products since there is a high demand for it, especially in the fashion industry.

Chaninat & Leeds’ attorneys have assisted hundreds of couples with child custody cases in Thailand.

Thai Law Forum visits three clothing hemp developers to discuss the use, impact and future possibilities of hemp for Thailand.

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Thailand’s Confederation of Thai Labor has called for the government to pass amendments to the Labor Protection Act quickly, for fears that they may be opposed by the NLA, Bangkok Post reports.

When the bill is enacted, it will provide workers with better maternity leave, business leave and redundancy packages.

Manas Kosol, the president of the Confederation of Thai Labor, says that certain members of the NLA (National Legislative Assembly), may oppose the bill because of vested interests in their own businesses. The new Thailand labor law will require them to provide workers with 400 days’ pay when making them redundant after more than 20 years of service.

Kosol said that the NLA lacks representatives for Thailand’s workforce. “A few of them should be appointed to the NLA scrutiny committee,” he said.

Read the full story here

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Image: The Foreign Photographer

Thailand’s Confederation of Thai Labor has called for the government to pass amendments to the Labor Protection Act quickly, for fears that they may be opposed by the NLA, Bangkok Post reports.

When the bill is enacted, it will provide workers with better maternity leave, business leave and redundancy packages.

Manas Kosol, the president of the Confederation of Thai Labor, says that certain members of the NLA (National Legislative Assembly), may oppose the bill because of vested interests in their own businesses. The new Thailand labor law will require them to provide workers with 400 days’ pay when making them redundant after more than 20 years of service.

Kosol said that the NLA lacks representatives for Thailand’s workforce. “A few of them should be appointed to the NLA scrutiny committee,” he said.

Read the full story here

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Image: The Foreign Photographer

This week ThaiLawForum spoke to Andrew Henderson, also known as the Nomad Capitalist.

Andrew is an expert on managing and optimizing wealth worldwide, and is especially knowledgeable on how expats can make the most of their funds.

Watch it here.

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.

The highly debated draft of proposed amendments to the Thailand Foreign Business Law currently under review in the Thai government is available in English for the public to read on ThaiLawForum.

The draft amendments have recently caused an outcry from foreign firms in Thailand because in its present foreign it would severely limit foreign control over both existing and future joint-venture companies in Thailand and would significantly alter the ability of foreign majority owned businesses to register a company in Thailand.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce is discussing and evaluating the proposed amendments and its potential impacts on businesses in Thailand. To date, a finalized version has not been announced and changes could still be made to the latest copy currently available.

Read the English translation of the Thailand Foreign Business Law draft amendments.

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New updates to Thailand’s Foreign Business Law permit non-Thai nationals and foreign majority owned businesses to operate several newly specified types of businesses in the “service businesses” category of the FBA, which were formerly prohibited, without first obtaining a Thai foreign business license.

The Foreign Business Law protects certain business activities considered to be important to the national interests of Thailand by prohibiting or restricting non-Thai nationals and non-Thai majority owned companies from operating such businesses. This law divides businesses restricted to foreigners into three lists—each with its own degrees of business operation restrictions for foreigners.

Foreigners are strictly prohibited from operating businesses specified in List One. Likewise, foreigners are not allowed to operate businesses from List Two unless they receive special permissions from the Minister with the approval of the Cabinet. List Three is the least restrictive category of business activities for non-Thais, but foreigners must obtain permission from the Director-General, with the approval of the Committee, to operate businesses listed in this category.

Specializing in international and Thai cases, the corporate lawyers at Chaninat and Leeds have decades of experience with Thai company registration.

The Foreign Business Law Amendment, issued March 11, 2013, listed specific, formerly protected business activities under the category of “service businesses” which are now exempt from List Three of the Foreign Business Act. This means non-Thai nationals and foreign majority limited companies can operate those types of service businesses listed in the amendment without first obtaining a foreign business license.

Recently, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce announced plans to propose even further amendments to the Thailand Foreign Business Act. According to The Nation, Pongpun Gearaviriyapun, director-general of the Business Development Department, said one proposal would remove protections from more industries on List Three of the FBA, making those business activities available for foreign ownership and operation.

“The amendments will focus on compromise, to ensure fair competition for Thai and foreign investors, facilitate more business growth, and prevent nominee problems,” Gearaviriyapun said.

Read the in-depth overview of the Foreign Business Act Amendments here.

Read the unofficial English translation of the Foreign Business Act Amendments here.

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The Bangkok Post has reported that local companies’ concerns over being placed at a disadvantage are an important factor stopping Thailand’s efforts to fights corruption according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

Thailand plans to make bribing foreign public officials a criminal offence as a part of its anti-corruption strategy, but a preliminary NACC-funded study shows local firms believe this would affect them in a negative manner.

Chaninat & Leeds Attorneys specialize in Thai and international criminal defense law 

If Thailand adopts the OECD, Thai companies may incur a greater risk of being penalized for bribing foreign officials.

Read the full story here