The conversation begins with Chris recounting the threats to Thailand’s security and stability, including the ongoing land border closure and standoff with Cambodia. He recounts with Regulatory Ramblings host Ajay Shamdasani that, notwithstanding its 22 prior coups, military rule, and reputation as a fragile democracy, Thailand has long been the darling of the global investment community, which has long touted its positive long-term economic See more +

The conversation begins with Chris recounting the threats to Thailand’s security and stability, including the ongoing land border closure and standoff with Cambodia. He recounts with Regulatory Ramblings host Ajay Shamdasani that, notwithstanding its 22 prior coups, military rule, and reputation as a fragile democracy, Thailand has long been the darling of the global investment community, which has long touted its positive long-term economic fundamentals.

He adds the country has curried favor with the West by opening up in ways that many would regard as progressive, such as permitting the sale of cannabis products and paraphernalia, permitting same-sex unions, and seeking to liberalize its gaming sector by tendering a recent bill.

Yet, given the July 1 suspension by the country’s Constitutional Court of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over ethics violations and the weekslong border spat with Cambodia, which has been roiling fears of Thailand’s 23rd coup d’état, the implementation of the new gaming law has been scuttled.

The discussion then shifts to Haider, who shares his thoughts on how data can help investment screening. He and Richard comment on how recent changes in the sanctions landscape, given the current geopolitical climate under the second Trump administration, pose a challenge for compliance and legal staff at banking and financial institutions, as well as multinational corporations.

Related to this are concerns about the implications for Asia regarding the extraterritorial enforcement of the much-dreaded US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the prospect of tariff imposition by the White House, as well as the potential for regulatory retaliation by other countries.

It’s worth noting that on June 9, Matthew Galeotti, head of the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) criminal division, said that under new FCPA guidelines now in place, it would enforce the Act Firmly but fairly.” The comments followed President Trump’s announcement earlier this year that the DOJ would hold off on FCPA enforcement following a review of current standards, as it was believed the existing regulatory regime put US businesses at a disadvantage when competing abroad.

Haider and Richard also discuss why geopolitics matter and the need for lawyers and risk managers to go beyond merely tracking financial news. The conversation concludes with a discussion of a recent case in which the US DOJ’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) sanctioned entities/companies in Hong Kong and mainland China that were involved in transferring Iranian oil to China.

Useful links in this episode:

• Follow Richard Butler on LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-butler-9b5084b/

• Visit Dow Jones’ website | https://www.dowjones.com/

• Follow Haider Mannan on LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/haidermannan/

• Visit BIGTXN’s website | https://www.bigtxn.com/ See less –