Thailand Events and Short-Term Work: What Has Changed?
Thailand remains a top destination for conferences, trade shows, and corporate events in the region. However, new rules on visa-exempt entry have created a real problem for foreign professionals who come here to attend those events. The issue is not a new ban on short-term work. One practical route people have used for years is […]
The Hidden Risks of Acting as an Informal Agent in Thailand
I have seen this story play out many times. A smart, ambitious person in Thailand spots a great product from abroad. It might be Australian software or a professional service delivered remotely. The overseas principal is excited. There is no distributor here yet. A handshake is exchanged. Our person becomes the local face of the […]
Thailand Nominee Landholding: New Land Department Guidance Brings Local Investigations and Property Use Into Focus
Thailand’s enforcement of restrictions on foreign land ownership and nominee arrangements has become increasingly active during 2025 through 2026. The latest development, dated yesterday, is a new Ministry of Interior circular dated 25 August 2026 concerning cases where there are grounds for suspicion that land is being held on behalf of foreigners. The circular, issued […]
Thailand’s 2026 Update to Public Will Regulations: What Expats and Foreign Asset Owners Must Know
Ministerial Regulation on Making Wills and Declarations of Intent Regarding Inheritance B.E. 2569 As Thailand continues to refine its legal framework to accommodate a growing expatriate and foreign investment community, the Ministry of Interior has introduced the first major overhaul of public will procedures in over six decades. The Ministerial Regulation on Making Wills and […]
Thailand’s Escalating Enforcement Against Nominee Structures: Essential Guidance on Central Registrar Order No. 1/2569 (B.E. 2569)
As a practitioner with over two decades advising foreign investors and Thai entities on corporate structuring under the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (FBA), I have witnessed the Department of Business Development (DBD) transform its approach from reactive enforcement to proactive, registration-level gatekeeping. The latest instrument in this sustained campaign, Order of the Central Partnership […]
Thailand’s New Pre-Packaged Rehabilitation: Faster Corporate Restructuring
Thailand is updating its Bankruptcy Act to introduce a formal pre-packaged rehabilitation mechanism. This important reform has been recently approved by the House of Representatives and is now awaiting review and approval by the Senate. This change marks a major evolution in Thailand’s corporate insolvency system. It builds on reforms introduced after the 1997 Asian […]
Thailand LTR Visa: Why Most Applicants Don’t Need a Consultant
Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa remains a central component of the country’s strategy to attract defined groups of foreign nationals. As interest in the scheme grows, so has the number of service providers offering high-fee application assistance. In practice, these services are seldom required. The LTR system is designed to be transparent, rules-based, and fully […]
Thai Labour Law: Working Hours, Time Off & Equal Treatment
Thai Labour Law: Time Off, Working Hours & Equal Treatment Employers in Thailand must navigate a detailed framework governing working hours, time-off entitlements and equal treatment standards. The Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (“Labour Act”) and related ministerial regulations impose clear obligations. This overview outlines the key rules and practical considerations for employers seeking compliance […]
Thailand Cracks Down on Systemic Nominee Business Structures in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is widely known for its beaches and nightlife, yet recent investigations have revealed a more complex and legally sensitive issue beneath the surface. Authorities have uncovered a network of companies on the island suspected of operating through nominee structures — arrangements where Thai nationals are listed as majority shareholders in name only while […]
Thailand’s Innovation Leap: the New Draft Startup Promotion and Development Act
Thailand aims to become a key player in Southeast Asia’s innovation economy by introducing the Draft Startup Promotion and Development Act. This landmark legislation seeks to address traditional obstacles for new companies and establish a legal and operational framework for the modern startup era. Recognising startups as a key driver of growth, the Draft Act […]