MEDIA: Thailand to repeal law imposing criminal liability for bad cheques

Until recently, issuing a cheque without sufficient funds was a criminal offence in Thailand, and people convicted of using a bad cheque faced possible jail time. But the Thai Cabinet has now approved a bill decriminalising “bounced” cheques under most circumstances, so that people are not faced with imprisonment simply because of defaulting on debt repayment.

Reservations about repealing the law have been expressed, however, due to the significant damages bad cheques cause to creditors in terms of time and resources and the lengthy civil proceedings that are required to recover payments. Others argue that criminal liability should be retained not just for the most serious offences, but if it can be proved that a debtor has issued a cheque dishonestly without the intention to pay.

Join the discussion with IAS Advisory co-founding partner Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul in an episode of the popular evening TV programme Home Economy, hosted by veteran news anchor, reporter and journalist Dr Wit Sittivaekin

This episode premiered on Tuesday 2nd January 2024 on Thai PBS, Thailand’s public broadcasting service. Disclaimer: all content is owned by Thai PBS. Visit the Thai PBS website HERE.

IAS Advisory included in prestigious Chambers Global Legal Guide 2024

IAS Advisory is honoured that Chambers & Partners, which publishes the world’s leading guides to the legal profession, has ranked the firm in its Global Guide 2024 for its capabilities in Corporate/M&A.

The accolade follows the firm’s inclusion earlier this year in Chambers’ region specific Asia-Pacific Guide, and is a credit to the efforts of the whole of the firm’s Corporate/M&A team.

Chambers Global only ranks practice areas that are renowned for cross-border work. Firms ranked in Chambers Global are considered experts in their field and the go-to contact for international legal buyers, attracting clients—from large corporations to niche startups—who are particularly interested in firms able to advise them in multi-jurisdictional mandates.

IAS Advisory’s Corporate/M&A department is led by Ms Siripen Kulworakulpitak, one of Bangkok’s most prominent high-end corporate lawyers and one of the country’s very few female law firm founders. Her team also contains rising star senior associate Ms Sukontharat Nobnom.

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MEDIA: how to find and invest in a worthwhile franchise

Finding the right franchise to invest in can be difficult. Normally, franchisees pay a royalty and initial fee to utilise a franchisor’s brand and business model. This typically requires a large upfront investment. So, how do you recognise a worthwhile franchise opportunity? How can you capitalise? What criteria should you consider when investing?

Watch IAS Advisory co-founding partner Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul and Mr Suttichai Panitnarakul, President of the Franchise & License Association of Thailand, in an episode of the popular evening TV programme Home Economy, hosted by veteran news anchor, reporter and journalist Dr Wit Sittivaekin.

This episode premiered on Wednesday 20th December 2023 on Thai PBS, Thailand’s public broadcasting service. Disclaimer: all content is owned by Thai PBS. Visit the Thai PBS website HERE.

Anuwat joins family conflict & inheritance management seminar at AFBE

The Association of Family Business Entrepreneurs (AFBE) held a private seminar on “inheritance management and reducing family conflict” last month, which IAS Advisory co-founder Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul attended as a guest speaker.

The seminar covered a range of topics including the root causes of disputes in families, normal proceedings for estate allocation after death including the most common contentious issues, and the smart way to avoid disagreements and sustain the family business.

The event, which took place on 29th January, welcomed guests including family leaders, heirs, entrepreneurs, and estate managers.

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Siripen joins teams committee at 6th National Mediation Competition

IAS Advisory co-founding partner Ms Siripen Kulworakulpitak was delighted to join the committee for selecting teams at the recent National Mediation Competition 2024. The competition was held over three days from 23-25th January 2024 at the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) in Bangkok.

Now in its sixth year, the event brings together Thailand’s next generation of mediators and negotiators and aims to encourage greater innovation, creativity and leadership. Using simulations of commercial disputes, participants get to put theory into practice and test strategies and tactics in a fun but competitive environment.

The event offers a great opportunity for 2nd, 3rd and 4th year degree students to participate in a mediation from start to finish. They gain practical experience of the whole process, from ensuring equal participation, to gathering viewpoints, to determining interests, from assessing possibilities, to creating win-win options, to finally outlining an effective compromise agreement.

Participants also get a chance to showcase their skills, connect with peers, and discuss the very latest mediation and negotiation techniques.

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MEDIA: fraud prevention for senior citizens

What laws exist to prevent elderly people from being victimised by fraudsters? What protections are there against financial exploitation and scams? What methods are being used to catch criminal gangs today?

Join the discussion with IAS Advisory co-founding partner Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul in an episode of the popular daytime TV programme Ageing Variety on ALTV Channel 4, part of Thai PBS, Thailand’s public broadcasting service.

This episode was first broadcast on Friday 16th June 2023. Disclaimer: all content is owned by Thai PBS. Visit the Thai PBS website HERE.

IAS Advisory & partners ranked in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 guide

IAS Advisory is delighted to announce that the prestigious publication The Legal 500 has recommended the firm in its latest legal guide to Thailand.

The Legal 500 series is widely regarded as the world’s largest legal referral guide, assessing the strengths of lawyers and law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. Its comprehensive research programme is revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.

This year, The Legal 500 recognises IAS Advisory for its special capabilities in both Real Estate & Construction and Dispute Resolution, and as a “Firm to Watch” for its proficiency in Corporate/M&A matters.

Each of the firm’s co-founding partners, Mr Ittinant Suwanjutha, Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul and Ms Siripen Kulworakulpitak are recommended in its Asia Pacific 2024 guide, while Ittinant has been highlighted as a “Leading Individual” for his wide-ranging experience and specialist real estate expertise.

The Legal 500’s rankings are based on a range of criteria, and its researchers aim to highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice in legal markets today.

IAS Advisory is delighted that the quality of work of its partners, senior associates and associates over the past 12 months has been recognised, and that their many efforts have been rewarded. Thank you @The Legal 500!

To search The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 Thailand rankings, visit: https://www.legal500.com/c/thailand/

MEDIA: legal help for the ageing society

Many people plan for a comfortable retirement and old age. In addition to people’s own personal planning, the state has also designed certain rights to benefit the elderly. What are these rights? How are they enforced? Also, what protections are there for elderly people if they are taken advantage of or a victim of crime?

Join the discussion with IAS Advisory co-founding partner Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul in an episode of the popular daytime TV programme Ageing Variety on ALTV Channel 4, part of Thai PBS, Thailand’s public broadcasting service.

This episode was first broadcast on Friday 9th June 2023. Disclaimer: all content is owned by Thai PBS. Visit the Thai PBS website HERE.

MEDIA: know the basic principles of copyright law

What is copyright? What does it protect? How do you use other people’s information legally and correctly? What is fair use?

Watch IAS Advisory co-founding partner Mr Anuwat Ngamprasertkul in an episode of the popular evening TV programme Home Economy, hosted by veteran news anchor, reporter and journalist Dr Wit Sittivaekin.

This episode premiered on Tuesday 30th May 2023 on Thai PBS, Thailand’s public broadcasting service. Disclaimer: all content is owned by Thai PBS. Visit the Thai PBS website HERE.

Piniti Chomsavas awarded coveted CIPP/E privacy qualification

Well done to IAS Advisory associate, Mr Piniti Chomsavas, for successfully completing the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)’s esteemed certification programme.

Policy neutral, IAPP is the world’s largest and most revered information privacy association, helping organisations successfully manage risks such as data breach and identity theft and implement data security best practices to keep their information secure and protected. With its rigorous training programmes and industry-standard examinations for professionals, leaders, experts and lawmakers, IAPP has grown into the largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community.

The Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) qualification is the industry standard for privacy specialists worldwide. Achieving the CIPP/E credential demonstrates understanding of a principles-based framework and knowledge base in data privacy within the European context, covering critical topics like Schrems II and the GDPR (including Mandatory DPOs).

The CIPP/E is a key benchmark for top firms when engaging privacy professionals, covering European data protection protocols, regulatory institutions, legislative frameworks, compliance, and international data transfers.

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