law
- Business News
Thailand casino draft law ready to hit the jackpot in Cabinet review
The draft law on entertainment complexes and casinos in Thailand is anticipated to reach the Cabinet for consideration later this year, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Upon receiving Cabinet approval, the administration plans to forward the draft law to Parliament for further deliberation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene for a regular session from mid-December…
- Thailand News
PM Paetongtarn urges swift update of laws to boost road safety
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has directed officials to expedite the amendment of outdated laws to enhance road safety. At a road safety meeting yesterday, the 38 year old prime minister highlighted the tragic accident on October 1, which has led the government to reassess existing frameworks and regulations concerning vehicle safety for passengers. Paetongtarn emphasised the necessity for stricter…
- Thai Law News
New law mandates urine, blood tests for driver alcohol checks
The Thai Government Gazette published a new ministerial regulation to include urine and blood tests for measuring alcohol levels in drivers when breathalyser tests are not possible. This regulation aims to enhance road safety and ensure accurate alcohol detection in drivers. The regulation, dated today, September 23, was issued under the authority of the Road Traffic Act of 1979, which…
- Thailand News
New law to regulate Thailand oil and gas prices nears approval
A draft law aimed at empowering energy officials to regulate domestic oil and cooking gas prices is advancing towards parliamentary approval. This legislation could become a significant energy policy under the emerging Paetongtarn Shinawatra government. Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga highlighted yesterday, September 11, that the bill should be reviewed by legislators before the year’s end. Pirapan championed this policy since…
- Politics News
Thailand probes ex-MFP MPs over lese majeste law support
An ethical investigation into 44 former members of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party (MFP) has been initiated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). These politicians are under scrutiny for their support of a bill intended to revise the lese majeste law, as confirmed by the NACC yesterday, August 8. NACC Secretary-General Niwatchai Kasemmongkol revealed that the commission has found sufficient…
- Thailand News
Thailand calls for strict e-cigarette law amid rising seizures
Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister called for the creation of a distinct law aimed at restricting the use and sale of e-cigarettes, citing the ineffectiveness of current regulations. During a discussion at the National Health Commission Office yesterday, Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat highlighted the absence of a specific law addressing e-cigarettes. While the Public Health Ministry has established a task…
- Thailand News
Vaping troubles: British tourists warned of costly holiday mistake
British tourists heading abroad this summer are being warned of a costly mistake that could ruin their holiday. E-cigarette smokers need to be aware of strict anti-vaping laws in popular South East Asian destinations. The penalties for breaking these rules range from hefty fines to imprisonment. Countries like Thailand and Singapore have some of the strictest vaping bans in the…
- Thailand News
Ads for cosmetic procedures by medical professionals banned
The Medical Council of Thailand issued a new regulation prohibiting medical professionals from advertising their expertise in cosmetic procedures. This announcement aims to ensure ethical practices and provide accurate information to the public. Today, July 10, the Royal Gazette published Medical Council Announcement No. 39/2567 regarding the advertising of cosmetic procedures by medical practitioners. This regulation, effective immediately, aims to…
- Thailand News
Thailand celebrates marriage equality bill nearing final approval
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will host a reception tomorrow at Government House to celebrate the marriage equality bill as it nears final approval. Deputy Government spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri confirms that the event will see the 62 year old Thai prime minister, an array of VIPs, Cabinet members, and foreign envoys in attendance. Additionally, members of the Bangkok Pride task…
- Business News
MNEs taxed to curb profit sharing, 12 billion baht revenue expected
The Revenue Department anticipates the implementation of draft legislation aimed at taxing multinational enterprises (MNEs) to curb profit shifting to low-tax jurisdictions by 2025. This move is expected to enhance tax revenue by 12 billion baht annually. Director-General Kulaya Tantitemit revealed that the draft legislation incorporates the Top-up Tax Act, which aligns with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s…
- Technology News
Thailand gears up for stricter AI regulations, eyeing legal framework
The need for stricter artificial intelligence (AI) regulations has been highlighted, as countries, including Thailand, prepare to develop comprehensive AI legal frameworks. This follows the approval of the world’s first comprehensive AI law, the AI Act, by the European Parliament. Putchapong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission, revealed that the commission already has AI ethics guidelines…
- Thailand News
Hong Kong national security law tightens its grip
Hong Kong’s lawmakers unanimously greenlit a new national security law, unleashing a wave of concerns over the erosion of civil liberties. The legislation, dubbed the Safeguarding National Security Bill, sailed through the Legislative Council, stacked with Beijing loyalists, in a move critics condemn as a hammer blow to dissenting voices. The controversial law, reminiscent of Beijing’s grip on power, arms…
- Thailand News
Thai criminal responsibility age may lower from 15 to 12 years
The Thai justice system is gearing up for profound changes to the legal age of criminal responsibility, potentially lowering it from 15 to 12 years old. This comes amidst growing concerns over an increasing trend of violent offences committed by younger individuals. The discussion was brought to light today at the National Police Office, by Police Lieutenant General Torsak Sukwimol,…
- Thailand News
Uthlum case: The Thai legal concept preventing children from suing parents
Thai law and cultural norms often intersect, as the longstanding legal concept of Uthlum demonstrates. This term, which translates to forbidden cases, refers to the prohibition against a child bringing a lawsuit against a parent or guardian. Despite the complexities and potential controversies surrounding this unique legal concept, it’s an integral part of Thai culture and law that demands a…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s fisheries law amendment to ease fishermen’s concerns
A proposed amendment to the fisheries law by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is underway, designed to alleviate the economic issues plaguing fishermen who assert that their livelihoods are compromised by stringent regulations. Thammanat Prompow, the Minister, acknowledges the concerns raised by fishing communities, who claim to be adversely impacted by the Fisheries Act. This fisheries law, originally instituted…
- Transport News
Buckle up! New law makes taxis ensure passenger wear safety belt
Buckle up! An announcement requiring taxi drivers to warn their passengers to wear their safety belts has been issued and will become effective in November. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette, yesterday, August 7. The warning was declared by the National Police Office, which aims to establish a safety practice for taxi drivers in notifying and ensuring that…
- Thailand News
Thailand to adopt stricter firearm controls amid rise in gun-related crimes
Thailand is adopting stricter firearm controls amid a rise in gun-related crimes. The Cabinet is set to draft a firearms act which deems all privately owned firearms and ammunition must be registered with a government agency. According to The Star, the draft act was approved on Tuesday. Government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek confirmed the news adding that the current measures in…
- Thai Law News
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister says e-cigarettes should be legalised
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister says it’s about time that e-cigarettes be legalised. The Minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, thinks Thailand should amend the law to reflect the lives of many people in developed countries. According to Thai PBS World, Chaiwut added that Thailand’s neighbouring countries of Singapore and Malaysia have already legalised electronic smoking devices. “The key issue is to…
- Crime News
One meth pill okay, two pills and you’re a dealer…..
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health is moving forward with a new drug law that would make those who carry more than one pill of methamphetamine a dealer of illegal narcotics. According to Bangkok Post, the controversial law comes after Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the ministry would revise the law to deal with the country’s serious methamphetamine problem.…
- Thailand News
Activists pressure opposition to do away with royal defamation law
Thai activists are pressuring the opposition Pheu Thai Party to do away with the royal defamation law if elected to office this year. The requests come at a time when three demonstrators are seriously ill after going on a hunger strike over the royal defamation law. Two of the activists are currently in the hospital and listed in serious condition. Pheu…
- Hot News
Stock market share trades to be taxed in Thailand after being exempt for past 30 years
After being exempt for the past 30 years, the Thai cabinet has decided to make stock market share trades taxable. According to Thai PBS World, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says that now all stocks that are traded on the market, whether at a profit or loss, will be subject to a financial transaction tax of .1%. He furthered that the…
- World News
Singapore shuts down harmful online content with new law
Singapore is shutting down harmful online content with a new law to protect vulnerable Internet users. Social media sites will now be required to block access to harmful content within hours. Parliament passed the law yesterday, with the Infocomm Media Development Authority gaining authority to issue Internet access service providers directions to block access by users in the country. According…
- Thailand News
Thailand pulls the plug on foreign land ownership regulation
The Thai government has already pulled the plug on the draft ministerial regulation that would open up new foreign land ownership options in Thailand. The regulation proposed allowing foreigners who hold a 10-year Long Term Resident visa to buy a property and/or land of up to one rai in Thailand, given they invest a minimum of 40 million baht into Thailand…
- Thailand News
New foreign land ownership law in Thailand can be scrapped if Thais don’t agree
If Thai people aren’t happy with the newly proposed foreign land ownership law in Thailand, the whole plan can be scrapped, said Minister of Interior General Anupong Paochinda in Parliament yesterday. “We can improve the regulation, such as by increasing the investment to 100 million baht. The plan can be scrapped if people have serious concerns. We won’t see it as…
- Property News
Cabinet agrees to let foreigners buy land and houses in Thailand
A major decision was made today by Thailand’s Cabinet which will allow foreigners to buy houses and land in Thailand. The foreigner will be eligible to buy houses and land if they invest at least 40 million baht in Thailand and can maintain the investment over three years, according to Bangkok Biz News. The land purchased cannot be bigger than…
- Hot News
Thai car racing gangs of five or more warned of jail time if caught
Thai street car racing gangs of five or more are being warned that they will face jail time and large fines if they are caught gathering. The superintendent of Prachachuen police station sent out the warning, saying even if they have not started racing, those in groups will be arrested for illegal racing. Land Transport and Excise department officials accompanied…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand’s face mask rules to be scrapped soon
In two or three weeks, those in Thailand will no longer have to worry about wearing a face mask in most places. According to The Bangkok Post, the Ministry of Public Health will soon cancel such mask-wearing regulations and accompanying fines for breaking such rules. The National Communicable Disease Committee has reportedly already completed a draft announcement that reflects the…
- Crime News
Thai chicken vendor fakes being a lawyer and wins in court
A Thai man who sells chicken for a living in Kamphaeng Phet province, central Thailand, has been arrested for pretending to be a lawyer for several years. He allegedly faked his license to practise law, fought several court cases, and even won a few. The chicken vendor, Pornthep Kachenpak, got away with it for years by “outsourcing.” His method was…
- Cannabis News
Tourist breaks Singaporean law by consuming cannabis in Thailand
A Singaporean tourist says she didn’t mean to consume cannabis in Thailand in July. Weed might be legal in the Land of Smiles, but it is still a crime for Singaporeans to consume cannabis at home and abroad. Sueanne said she ate a “very nice bowl of noodles” in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, that were so delicious that she ordered…
- Thailand News
Thailand’s Cabinet votes in favour of revolutionary alcohol brewing act
Yesterday, Thailand’s Cabinet voted in favour of an act which will allow Thais to brew and sell their own alcohol. The law it still in its first stages, but if it goes ahead it will be revolutionary for Thailand’s alcohol industry. The “Progressive Liquor Act” aims to amend Section 153 of the Excise Tax Act which requires alcohol producers to…
