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Thailand Law
Doing Business in Thailand? We’ve Got You Covered.
We provide legal support for companies and individuals doing business in Thailand.
Contact UsShifting Manufacturing
The US-China trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic have reinforced to many businesses the importance of a diversified supply chain, and many of our clients from all over the world (including many from Asia) are shifting manufacturing from China.
This process predated the current US-China trade war, and many of the early movers set up shop in Vietnam, with the result that many Vietnamese factories are at capacity and costs are rising.
However, in nearby Thailand the business climate continues to be welcoming to foreign investment, with significant recent investments in infrastructure (new roads, ports, trains, airports) geared towards an export-driven economy. The government is strongly supporting the development of an innovation-based value economy, implementing broad reforms that address economic stability, competitiveness, ease of doing business, human capital development, environmental sustainability, and a more streamlined bureaucracy.
Manufacturing in Thailand
Thailand ranks 14th in Deloitte’s 2020 Global Manufacturing Competitive Index – ahead of every other country in Southeast Asia except Singapore, where costs are considerably higher. In addition, Thailand is Southeast Asia’s second largest economy, with a dynamic consumer market of 70 million people.
Establishing manufacturing facilities and a logistics infrastructure are complicated processes, and missteps can cost millions. Our deep knowledge of local laws and business and regulatory environments allow us to help our clients identify the most appropriate manufacturing model and operational framework for them in Thailand.
For companies considering an investment in operations or manufacturing in Thailand, questions we can help answer include:
- What ownership structures are permitted for foreign businesses?
- What are the tax implications of manufacturing and operating in Thailand?
- Are there special economic zones that offer benefits such as reduced tax and reduced land cost?
- Have some industries been targeted to receive additional tax and other incentives?
- Has Thailand offered incentives for companies relocating manufacturing from China?
- What does the U.S.-Thailand Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations (AER), originally signed in 1833, mean for American business owners/investors?
- Are there any special challenges to obtaining visas for foreign workers, e.g. executives and experts?
- What are the advantages of Thailand’s membership in the ASEAN Economic Community (a single market of more than 600 million people covering 10 countries in the region)?
Our Team
Leading our team in Thailand are Jenny Huang Thammapukkul and John DiDominic. Matthew helps American, European and Australian companies with their Thai legal issues. Jenny is our Thailand business advisor and has worked as a management consultant helping foreign companies optimize their operations in Thailand, advising on sourcing and cost optimization quality control and productivity/process improvement, as well as relationship management. John is Harris Sliwoski’s International Manufacturing Advisor and has more than a decade of management experience in Thailand. Leveraging decades of on-the-ground experience in Asia, John maintains a network of trusted advisors to support the establishment and operation of businesses and manufacturing operations throughout the region.
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Our Clients' Successes
“Harris Sliwoski expertly guided us through the formation of our company. They continue to assist with necessary registrations and compliance with numerous regulations. They were able to promptly answer all our many questions and provide understandable options, explanations and practical advice. We expect to continue to use Harris Sliwoski on a regular basis as our company expands. They were also able to introduce us other professional experts. We would not hesitate to recommend Harris Sliwoski to any companies in need of legal advice.”
Three Continents Foods LLC
This law firm was a huge help as our company went through the process of commercial licensing in the California cannabis industry. They have helped us with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while clearly communicating with us throughout the process. Everyone we’ve worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field and we have always felt that we were in good hands through our legal representation.
Wil Crummer, CEO PRO Farms
Legal stuff is always scary. And I’ve had to play offense a couple times, begrudgingly. To have Harris Sliwoski have my back? It made things a lot less prickly. They quickly walked me through my options, and were refreshingly consistent in their communications, timing and billing. I’ve been lucky to stay out of the legal side of things my whole career, thankfully. When things went a little wrong, Harris Sliwoski quickly made things right.
Aaron Draplin, Founder Draplin Design Co.
I am impressed with this law firm. They answered all my questions regarding cannabis businesses and the California cannabis framework, and they have helped me with a variety of legal issues in a timely fashion, while always clearly communicating with us throughout the process. They also redirected me to other quality people for my business needs. Everyone I worked with at Harris Sliwoski is an expert in their field, and I was in good hands throughout my legal representation.
Corey T., CEO Thinc Cubed, LLC
I have been working with the lawyers at Harris Sliwoski for more than 20 years both as a business owner and as an executive at a large east-coast health system and that is because they have always efficiently provided high level and clear international law advice. Most recently, Harris Sliwoski provided legal support on many matters related to procuring medical products worldwide. Their support was particularly helpful to during the onset of COVID, when there was a big need for securing PPE quickly, all while navigating complicated international and domestic legal requirements. Harris Sliwoski’s team of international lawyers helped by conducting rapid-fire due diligence on potential suppliers, navigating the legal logistics for getting product from overseas and through U.S. customs, and drafting contracts to protect against various sorts of horribles. They did this by essentially providing what amounted to 24/7 service. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Dan Pak Hospital Supply Chain Executive
Harris Sliwoski has represented our company in the legal cannabis industry for years. Harris Sliwoski has advised us in a wide variety of legal matters, and they are truly experts in their field. I would highly recommend Harris Sliwoski to anyone with questions about cannabis law, or any legal matters. They have been great for our Company, and will continue to guide us as our industry evolves
Matt Hurt, COO Cannabis Nation
You won’t find a better partner than Harris Sliwoski when trying to navigate the complex world of healthcare regulations. They not only give sound and reliable legal advice, but they are also very responsive and are able to guide you in a way that helps you reach your business objectives as well.
Joseph Axelrod, General Counsel Irwin Naturals
When we started the process of building a ‘seed to sale’ cannabis company in Oregon, we saw the need for expert legal counsel. The cannabis sector is fraught with potential peril at every turn, and we wanted the best legal advice we could find. After talking to several firms and individuals, we feel extremely fortunate to have chosen Harris Sliwoski as our legal counsel.
Tony Theiss, CEO and Co-Founder Redbarn Cannabis
We use Harris Sliwoski on all our international legal matters, including on our international litigation matters. We have over the last few years been involved in a couple big international legal disputes and Harris Sliwoski’s international dispute resolution team provided us with expert legal assistance on both matters. They were always very careful to explain to us what they were doing and why and what their actions would likely cost us in legal fees. Most importantly, we did extremely well on both cases and I have no doubt Harris Sliwoski was a big factor in that.
Kevin English, CEO We Are Camp
We have used Harris Sliwoski for legal help related to our international manufacturing. The lawyers with whom I worked had extensive familiarity with the international legal issues involved in our various projects and offered us key insights. I particularly appreciated how they always quickly and efficiently do what they say they will do and always within their cost estimates.
Andrea Barona Valladolid, Senior Legal Counsel Fairphone
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