Thai Fishing Boats now Coded to Help Fight Human Trafficking

The Royal Gazette published early April that by the end of May it will be a legal requirement for Thai fishing boats to display an identification code made up of four sets of numbers and letters on the side of their boat.

The Director-General of the Fisheries Department explains that the new policy will help tackle illegal fishing. The letters will designate the area that the boat is meant to be in and how much it weighs and the numbers will signal the boats registration number.

It is common for guardians involved in child custody disputes in Thailand to accuse another guardian of sexual or physical abuse. It is advised by expert child custody attorneys in Thailand to keep record of Saving evidence of crimes.

Besides tackling unregulated fishing, the implementation of the identification codes will help to identify fishing boats associated with human trafficking. The codes on the boat will make it easier for people to identify which vessel they are on.

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Thai Fishing Boats

Philippine Legislature Considering Legalizing Divorce

Divorce was legal in the Philippines up until 1949 when they became independent of US rule. Since then, the predominantly Catholic (80% of the population) country has outlawed divorce. However, lawmakers are taking “major steps” towards legal provisions for divorce, says reports.

The new legislation may face fierce opposition from their president, Rodrigo Duerte, who has publicly stated that he is for same-sex marriage but not divorce. His spokesperson, Harry Roque explains that Duerte would be concerned for the children of divorce and that it would be “pitiful”.

A child custody lawyer in Thailand can assist obtaining or keeping custody of your children in a bitter divorce.

The president stated that he would rather a legal separation where there is still a chance for the separated parents to get back together where a divorce would finalize it. Although, divorce is illegal in the Philippines, couples still have the option of getting an annulment, though it is a timely and costly process.

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Chinese Sperm Bank favors those who “Love the Socialist Motherland”

A sperm bank in Beijing has announced that they are looking for millions of sperm donors, not just any sperm donors though. The Peking University Third Hospital has stated that they require a unique quality for the requested sperm donors.

That is, that they must “love the socialist motherland”. Donors who are communist to the core will receive 5,500 yuan ($872) for their donation. They must prove their “favorable political qualities” and of course pass a medical testing.

Chaninat & Leeds’ attorneys have assisted hundreds of couples with child custody cases in Thailand.

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Reuters Reporters Attorney Files for Dismissal in Myanmar Court

The defense Attorney handling the case of two Reuter’s reporters who were detained last December for allegedly possessing top secret government documents, has asked the Myanmar court to drop the case due to insufficient evidence.

The Attorney stated in the court hearing that witnesses have “testified and been cross examined” and there is still no proof. The court responded in allowing the arguments for the motion of dismissal in the next hearing on April the 4^th.

Diplomats from Australia and the EU also attended the hearing. The reporters have been charged for breaching the “Officials Secrets Act”.

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Uber Fails to Regional Rival Grab in South East Asia Market

After bowing out of China, Uber makes its second retreat from Asia. Uber has agreed to sell its South East Asian operations to rival, Grab, but will still hold a 30% share in the company.

CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi explains that Uber has pulled out of the SEA market due to “fierce competition” and a lack of profitability. The company will now shift its focus to Australia, Latin America, Europe and the US. However, Khosrowshahi has stated that he will continue to “invest aggressively” into South East Asia.

Uber’s bow out of South East Asia is another episode of its continuance in a series of downfalls in the last year for the company. The previous year they had lost 4.5 billion dollars due to competition, regulatory violations in Europe and sexual harassment allegations from their former CEO.

Uber is currently preparing for its first public offering in 2019.

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A law firm with licensed American immigration lawyers in Thailand can assist you with your US visa Thailand application by assisting with completion of all necessary forms and documentation. 

Thai and Cambodian Leaders Discuss Cooperation on Fugitives

Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cambodia Defense Minister, Tea Banh met on Wednesday to discuss conflict prevention measures between the two countries when it comes to individuals running from the law and crossing borders.

They agreed that both countries would monitor potential fugitives. A labor rights advocate, Tola, spoke out on the agreement that it made a lot of Cambodians nervous for those fleeing the Cambodian government crackdown. Tola is wanted himself for breaching trust when he “allegedly misappropriated” a murdered activists funeral funds.

Tola adds that the agreement should only focus on serious criminals and not those who are wanted for politically motivated charges. Closer cooperation between the neighboring countries may cause trouble for Thai activists hiding from the military in Cambodia.

Parents who require a child custody lawyer in Thailand should contact family law experts.

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Australian Attorneys File Crimes Against Humanity Charges on Aung San Suu Kyi

In Australia, persons can be prosecuted under the principal of universal jurisdiction. This is when a national court recognizes serious crimes against international law. On Friday, a team of highly respected Australian human rights attorneys filed a private prosecution application to the Melbourne magistrates’ courts against Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently in Australia, attending the ASEAN Australia special summit.

A response to the application should be revealed next week, however cannot be processed without the consent of the attorney general, Christian Porter. The legal team has commented on the implementation of the prosecution due to the de-facto Myanmar government leader failing to use her position of authority to condemn the national Myanmar security force from committing genocide of the Rohingya people.

It is common for guardians involved in Thailand child custody battles to blame the other guardian of sexual or physical abuse. It is advised by expert child custody attorneys in Thailand to keep record of Saving evidence of crimes.

A spokesperson for the Australian legal team acknowledges the difficulty of prosecuting a foreign leader under universal jurisdiction prosecution. There may be conflict of whether she is protected with immunity.

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Thailand No Longer the Most Affordable Destination for Medical Tourism

According to Thailand tourism management expert Dr. Lempert, Thailand in the early 2000’s, used to be 60% cheaper in their medical services than other countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. Now, Thailand is still ranked in the top 10 destinations for medical tourism but prices have risen to the same costs as Singapore.

Not only has Thailand lost its unique selling point as an affordable medical tourist destination but all the medical services and hospitals no longer function under one umbrella. Wealthy Thai families have privatized certain businesses and do not collaborate with each other. Dr. Lempert regards this as one of the reasons the quality of medical tourism in Thailand has declined.

For more information on the state of Thailand's medical tourism from the pioneer himself, watch Thai Law Forum’s interview with Dr. Lempert from Paranorma Medica Group.

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A child custody lawyer in Thailand can assist obtaining or keeping custody of your children in a bitter divorce.

Smoking Orangutan Turns up the Heat with Animal Rights Activists

Animal rights activists are outraged at a video that surfaced from the Bandung Zoo in Indonesia of an orangutan smoking a lit cigarette. The video shows a man discarding the lit cigarette into the orangutan’s enclosure.

Expert divorce lawyers in Thailand have successfully litigated hundreds of local and international divorce cases.  

The zoo is reportedly renowned for its sick and starving animals and has a petition on change.org for its closure. A zoo spokesperson has defended the zoo saying that warning signs had been put in place to prohibit smoking around the animals.

Guciano, an animal rights activist says that the video shows the “lack of supervision and education at the zoo”. He also blames the Indonesian government for not putting better animal welfare standards in place. 

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Investigation into Transgender Community Abuse in Aceh, Indonesia

The news of transgender women in Aceh that were forced to cut their hair and act in more manly ways has made headlines across the nations. It has probed investigation from the national police to look into the mistreatment of the LGBT women.

Aceh, a conservative province in Indonesia that is governed by Sharia law is the only state in the country to outlaw homosexuality. A protestor against police investigation into the case says that they had nothing against LGBT people only their “behavior”.

Images of the partially clothed transgender women, kneeling on the ground, whilst their hair was being cut by local police were widely criticized on social media. Local Aceh authorities that are under investigation explain that their actions had been discussed with Islamic scholars and were in line with Aceh’s laws.

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The Hague Convention on Child Abduction can be of assistance to parents who have had their child abducted.

Funeral Strippers in China no Longer Appropriate

The Ministry of Culture in China has announced a crackdown on inappropriate performances by exotic dancers at funerals. Beijing was the first city to ban the “vulgar performances” in 2015, and other provinces are following suit.

The employment of exotic performers at funerals is used to boost attendance as funerals with high attendance rates are seen as a way to honor the dead. Some households are known to spend more than their annual incomes on strippers and other types of performers.

The Ministry is encouraging residents to inform them of the whereabouts of such events through hotlines that will offer monetary rewards. An expert has commented on the act as a “practice of fertility worship”.

Affairs requiring a Thailand family lawyer may include issues where families that often cross borders due to having different residences.

In 2006, the province of Handan saw six strippers arrested for performing at the funeral of an elderly resident.  

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A Possible Hemp Industry for Thailand

Thailand has missed the boat to be at the forefront of the hemp industry, with hemp plantations in the north still under heavy regulations. However, it is not too late as hemp clothing developers in Thailand have cultivated a high demand for hemp fabric.

Hemp entrepreneurs can get their hands on a limited supply with government permission, but not enough to sustain a growing business and must import from neighboring countries such as Laos and China where costs are much higher.

Hemp industrializing machinery is also illegal in Thailand, thus making the manufacturing process slow. Thai Law Forum discusses with some of the hemp clothing developers in Thailand about the law regarding hemp use in Thailand, the challenges and opportunities.

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The Hague Convention on Child Abduction allows for claims by parents who have had their child abducted.

Cambodia Ranks Lowest in the Rule of Law Index

The Rule of Law Index, conducted by the World Justice Project looks at areas of human rights, civil and criminal justice and government powers. On a global scale, Cambodia has performed the second worst, with Venezuela taking last place.

However, Cambodia ranks last for the East Asia region. WJP states that an effective rule of law will allow for “communities of equity, opportunity and peace”. There is yet to be a country that has achieved a perfect score but the Rule of Law hopes to set standards and spark programs for international justice.

Cambodia has ranked in a bottom position due to a government crackdown on media 

and dissolution of the opposition party’s leader. The Justice Ministry of Cambodia commented on the ranking that it is irrelevant as it is not the “real situation”.

Issues concerning family law in Thailand should be directed to a professional law firm with expertise in family affairs.

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Myanmar Government Accused of Clearing Rohingya Massacre Evidence

Myanmar has been clearing almost empty Rohingya villages with Bulldozers. The Human Rights Watch has requested Myanmar to stop the bulldozing in order for UN specialists to examine the area for human rights violations.

A divorce contract in Thailand is a contract entered into by divorcing couples who can agree on important issues such as assets, child support and alimony.   

However, the Myanmar government has yet to allow a UN fact find mission to enter the country or the Rakhine state. They refer to their own investigative missions that “no violations or abuses” were found.

Among the 362 villages that were destroyed, some were partially destroyed from previous security force attacks and at least two were still intact. The clearing of the area is seen by international human rights groups as destroying evidence and obstruction of justice.

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Myanmar Prostitutes to Gain More Rights

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Resettlement are looking to revise the current Suppression of Prostitution Act. Under this Act, authorities can arrest those who loiter with the “intent to solicit”. The law was initially propositioned for women to abstain from the sex industry however, resulted in the opposite effect.

The law is also partly responsible for the spread of STD such as HIV among sex workers in Myanmar. Lawmakers want to change the legislation in hopes of providing more protection. Under the Act, prostitutes found with condoms may be prosecuted.

Other harmful effects of this law include sex workers having difficulty getting blood tests, counseling and medical attention. Some of the proposed changes include reducing the penalty of fines and jail time, criminalizing women without consent and criminalizing human trafficking.

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Singapore GST to Rise an Extra 2% in 2020

Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Finance Minister, has announced that there are plans for the goods and services tax to rise two more percent to 9% from 2020-2025. He commented that the increase will be a progressive one. The tax will be applied to goods and services in Singapore and other imports worth over $300 USD.

Couples requiring a divorce lawyer in Thailand must meet the grounds of divorce in Thailand, having one of the spouses residing in the country. 

The GST increase will be implemented to close the “gap” for future expenditure on infrastructure, spending, healthcare etc. The apparent two percent increases will boost revenues to 0.7% of the GDP and help to close the gap. The increased rate will take effect when the state of the economy is at its prime.

The increased GST will be applied to public schooling, healthcare, aid to lower income households and seniors. Singaporeans will be offered an offset package to help adjust to the increased rate. There are still discussions on how the import of goods will be dealt with. 

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Cambodia's New Law Protects King from Insults

The National Assembly of Cambodia has held an extraordinary session on Wednesday that will cover changes to the Penal code, draft a law on business development with Laos and Vietnam.

The Penal Code will be amended so that anyone who insults the King or government leaders may receive 1-5 years in prison and a $500-$12,500 fine. Countries such as Thailand and Saudi Arabia have similar laws protecting their King, but the punishments are much more severe.

Expert divorce lawyers in Thailand advise that it matters where the marriage was registered in order to follow the correct jurisdiction proceedings for prenup agreements in Thailand.

The formation of the new laws follows criticism from the Deputy Prime Minister, who compared the King to a “castrated rooster” and was charged with defamation. Law enforcement will not need a formal complaint filed by the King to punish those who insult the royal family.

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Indonesian Parliament Drawing up New Law to Criminalize Gay Sex

Gay sex is currently legal in Indonesia except for the province of Aceh that is ruled by religious Islamic law. However, that is about to change as new legislation will out rule adultery, condom use and same-sex activity. Indonesia’s health ministry has also announced it will amend its medical guide to consider homosexuality as a “mental disorder”.

Politicians for the upcoming 2019 Presidential elections see the draft as an opportunity to cater to the religious base of the nation. Authorities have used anti-pornography laws to criminalize members of the LGBT community. 

Applying for a US visa from Thailand can be complicated and time consuming matter. Contact Bangkok based lawyers that have expertise on US-Thai immigration laws.  

The UN Human Right Chief has criticized the upcoming laws saying it will only “deepen their suffering and create unnecessary divisions” and that these provisions should be removed immediately. The law if passed will allow police to conduct raids and jail those found guilty of adultery for up to five years.

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