News & Articles

Thailand’s Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (FBA) establishes strict limitations on foreign ownership in designated business sectors in that foreigners are required to have a license prior to the commencement of business in Thailand, in order to safeguard local enterprises. Under the FBA, the restricted businesses are categorized in three (3) Business Lists as attached to the FBA.

Thailand’s recent legalization of same-sex marriage marks a major milestone in the region, making it the first Southeast Asian country to recognize marriage equality. As of January 22, 2025, same-sex couples will be able to legally register their marriages, gaining the same legal rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples.

Thailand has long been a pivotal economic center in Southeast Asia, leveraging its strategic location, infrastructure, and skilled workforce to attract foreign capital. To stay competitive on the global stage, the Thai Cabinet approved the Financial Business Hub Bill on February 4, 2025.

The Kingdom of Thailand is set to implement a significant change in its entry requirements for travelers from visa-exempt countries. The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will affect millions of tourists and business travelers who previously enjoyed visa-free entry.

Thailand is introducing a series of tax measures aimed at stimulating economic growth, encouraging local spending, supporting public health, and attracting skilled Thai professionals back to the country.

Innovation is the fundamental pillar of achievement in the rapidly evolving business landscape. It is essential for both emerging entrepreneurs and established industry players to safeguard their intellectual property to sustain a competitive advantage.

Patents are a fundamental component of Intellectual Property (IP) law, providing inventors with exclusive rights to their innovations. However, the criteria for what constitutes a patentable invention vary across jurisdictions,…

On September 24, 2024, the highly anticipated Marriage Equality Act was published in the Royal Gazette, marking an important milestone for Thailand’s LGBTQ+ community. The act will come into force 120 days after its publication.

This article aims to provide an overview of the recent National Cyber Security Committee (NCSC) announcements published in the Royal Gazette, covering cybersecurity training and cloud security.

Technology devices and social media have become integral parts of daily life. Despite their many benefits, they also bring challenges such as fake news and cybercrimes.

This legal summary provides an overview of new regulations outlined in SEC notifications effective from June 1st, 2024, concerning the issuance of sustainability-themed digital tokens. The summary is intended for all token issuers in Thailand looking to offer investors opportunities to invest in digital assets linked to sustainability projects.

Issued by the Department of Consular Affairs, Thailand
Date: 15 July 2024

In accordance with the regulations of the Kingdom of Thailand, nationals of 93 specific countries and territories are eligible for visa exemption under certain conditions. This exemption applies for purposes such as tourism, business engagements, urgent work, or ad-hoc work, allowing a stay of up to 60 days.

Building upon the earlier overview of the law (https://www.ilct.co.th/marriage-equality/), this article delves deeper into the implications of the Marriage Equality Act on real estate rights for LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand. It focuses on two key aspects: condominium acquisition and land ownership.

Thailand has witnessed significant social progress in recent years, with growing societal interest in enhancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. In response to this momentum, there has been a social movement to legalize same-sex marriage and elevate family and civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals through amendments to the Thai Civil and Commercial Code (“CCC”), known as the “Marriage Equality Act” (the “Act”).

On June 21, 2024, the Cabinet Secretary’s office introduced urgent economic measures aimed at revitalizing Thailand’s economy through the real estate sector. Central to these measures is a proposal to relax regulations governing foreign ownership of properties. This initiative comes in response to a letter from the Cabinet Secretary dated April 9, 2024, emphasizing the government’s commitment to stimulating economic growth via real estate development and positioning Thailand as a global industrial hub.

In a significant move towards enhancing the domestic tourism sector, the Cabinet has endorsed a series of tax measures tailored to ignite domestic tourism on June 4, 2024. These measures, meticulously crafted, are purposed to not only facilitate the sustained recovery of the Thai tourism industry but also to stimulate domestic tourism and fortify the domestic economy. The multifaceted approach of these measures encompasses two distinct components as follows.

This legal summary provides an overview of the laws and regulations governing product recalls in Thailand under the Consumer Protection Act, B.E. 2522 (1979). It aims to guide business operators on mandatory steps, recommended practices, and compliance requirements when conducting product recalls within Thailand.

In accordance with the regulations governing visa policies and international agreements, notable modifications have been made regarding exemptions and visa-on-arrival privileges for various nationalities, from May 9, 2024. The following adjustments are to be duly noted:

Innovation is the fundamental pillar of achievement in the rapidly evolving business landscape. It is essential for both emerging entrepreneurs and established industry players to safeguard their intellectual property to sustain a competitive advantage. However, the patent application process in Thailand, like many other countries, involves a variety of examination and review phases.

On March 12, 2024, the Cabinet made significant strides in fiscal policy by endorsing tax measures designed to stimulate fundraising activities utilizing digital tokens for investment purposes, termed Investment Tokens. This legal article provides a comprehensive examination of the ratified tax measures, elucidating their ramifications and objectives within the framework of nurturing the digital economy in consonance with governmental directives.

In a notable development on February 6, 2024, the Cabinet announced its resolution to extend tax relief measures for digital asset trading, providing a lifeline for individuals and juristic entities involved in the realm of cryptocurrencies (“Cryptos”) and utility tokens. The Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption for transfers of Cryptos and utility tokens has been extended from December 2023 to January 1, 2024, onwards.

On March 2, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand took a significant step forward by approving amendments to the regulatory framework governing digital assets during its Board Meeting No. 5/2566.

On the 2nd of January 2024, the cabinet granted its approval for substantial tax reductions and exemptions on alcoholic beverages, marking a strategic initiative to fortify the tourism sector. These tax amendments, expected to take effect shortly, include alterations to both Excise Tax and Customs Tax frameworks.

ILCT is delighted to have partnered with a distinguished representative from the Board of Investment in producing an informative and insightful video that explains Thailand’s new Long-Term Residency program.