Key Developments in Thailand’s Trade Competition Law in 2025: Q3 Review

As of the third quarter of 2025, there have been several developments impacting Thailand’s Trade Competition Law. In addition to multiple draft trade competition laws currently undergoing review and public hearings, discussions on regulations governing to digital platforms are under way, along with the following other significant developments:

• The Secretary-General of the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (“TCCT”) attended the 9th United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection in Geneva, Switzerland. Afterward, the Secretary-General disclosed that discussions at the conference centered on the integration of competition law and consumer protection law, and the regulation of digital markets and artificial intelligence (AI), both of which are urgent topics at the global level. The conference emphasized the importance of establishing rules to control market dominance by major players, as well to implement and use AI, both as a regulatory tool and as a means to support investigations in competition law cases. The Secretary-General believes that the direction of the conference closely aligns with Thailand’s approach. Currently, the TCCT is drafting guidelines to regulate “multi-sided platform businesses” and “digital platform businesses for the sale of goods or services (E-Commerce)” in Thailand. The TCCT also is preparing to study the potential use of AI to support future academic and legal processes. Information suggests that an announcement about digital platform businesses involved in the sale of goods and services (e-commerce) is forthcoming, and that the direction of the TCCT will prioritize the rights of consumers on an increasing basis, by integrating consumer protection principles into the adjudication of competition law cases. This approach aims to achieve a balance between market mechanisms and consumer fairness.
• On 27 August 2025, the TCCT entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed at improving the efficiency of enforcing trade competition law. The MOU was established in collaboration with three agencies under the Ministry of Justice: the Legal Execution Department, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Central Institute of Forensic Science. 

The MOU outlines the intent of the TCCT and the Legal Execution Department to collaborate in the integration of public information about bankrupt individuals, through an information technology system established by the Legal Execution Department.  In addition, the TCCT and the Department of Special Investigation have reached an agreement to collaborate in support of operational activities. This partnership will include the transfer and exchange of knowledge, as well as the development of training courses for the investigation and analysis of offenses under the Trade Competition Law and other applicable regulations. The collaboration between the TCCT and the Central Institute of Forensic Science is designed to enhance academic cooperation, with an emphasis on cultivating knowledge relevant to the objectives mandated by the legislation governing both entities. The partnership also is designed to foster academic growth within the jurisdiction of each agency, ensuring consistency with international standards.

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation among the TCCT, the Legal Execution Department, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Central Institute of Forensic Science, with the goal of coordinating enforcement activities in line with each agency’s mission and authority, and focusing on more effective enforcement of trade competition laws.

Key developments during the third quarter of 2025 indicate that the TCCT is actively pursuing advancements in Thailand’s Trade Competition Law to align with contemporary global competitive practices. The focus has shifted from traditional retail transactions, and now includes regulation of digital platforms. Concurrently, the TCCT is dedicated to enhancing enforcement of trade competition law through the use of data analytics and strengthening collaboration with relevant agencies under the Ministry of Justice, to achieve optimal outcomes

This article is intended merely to provide a regulatory overview, is not comprehensive, and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Should you have any questions on this or on any other areas of law, please do not hesitate to contact:

Siriwan Nopareporn
Associate

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