Franchising has become an appealing and often successful way for mum-and-dad entrepreneurs to buy into the business world.
While taking on a proven business plan may seem to offer protection for fledgling operators, in many countries legislation has failed to provide sufficient regulation. This has certainly been the case in Thailand, which currently lacks a specific regulatory law. Business law in Thailand is currently being reviewed to improve protection for those buying into franchises.
The flourishing counterfeit trade in Thailand may be a goldmine for bargain hunters but it has hampered efforts to attract foreign investment.
Pirated goods are not always easy to spot in terms of appearance or even quality but are significantly cheaper than the genuine product. In Bangkok alone, pirated products are sold across 10 major sites and are available to foreign tourists in centres such as Chiang Mai and Had Yai.
Unfortunately, Thailand is often seen as a haven for counterfeiters, with fake Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Sass & Bide abounding in certain shopping malls.
