Category: The Bangkok Post

The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) is reviewing its competition guidelines covering three key sectors — digital platforms, modern trade, and on-demand delivery services — to ensure they remain relevant to rapidly evolving business models.

A public consultation is open from July 31 to Aug 31, 2026.

Sudharma Yoonaidharma, vice-chairman and acting chairman of the TCCT, said the commission is accelerating efforts to strengthen competition oversight in three priority industries: digital platforms, modern wholesale and retail (modern trade), and on-demand delivery services.

Although the TCCT has already issued regulatory guidelines for some sectors, recent studies of market structures and business practices, together with feedback gathered from businesses in several provinces, indicate that the existing guidelines may no longer adequately reflect today’s fast-changing commercial landscape, he added.

The commission is therefore seeking public input to update the guidelines so they better address evolving business models and market conduct while improving the effectiveness of competition law enforcement.

The commission will also hold discussions on digital platform regulations on Tuesday with related parties, followed by consultations with academics and industry experts on key issues affecting platform-based ride-hailing services on Wednesday.

The findings and recommendations from these engagements will be incorporated into the broader public consultation process.

Recently, the commission approved the formation of two subcommittees: one to regulate digital platform businesses and prevent unfair trade practices, and the other to set guidelines and action plans for competition conditions in the wholesale and modern trade sectors.

The TCCT multi-sided e-commerce platforms guideline, which took effect on March 24, 2026, defines the specific roles of various market participants, including platform operators, online sellers, logistics providers and digital advertisers.

The guideline establishes a legal framework to prevent unfair trade practices and market manipulation, such as predatory pricing, self-preferencing in search rankings and exclusive dealing mandates.

Furthermore, it addresses the technical nuances of algorithmic management and data usage to ensure a competitive environment for all stakeholders.

These mandates aim to protect consumer interests and promote transparency across digital marketplaces by prohibiting activities that lead to market monopolisation.

Regarding food delivery, the TCCT introduced guidelines governing food delivery platforms in 2020.

The rules require platform operators to conduct business fairly, transparently and without discrimination.

The TCCT established formal guidelines in 2019 to ensure fair trade practices between wholesale or retail businesses and their suppliers.

The People’s Network for the Protection of the Kok, Sai, Ruak and Mekong rivers on Monday protested outside the Myanmar Consulate-General in Chiang Mai, calling for action over mining-related pollution in Myanmar that has affected several rivers in northern Thailand.

In a statement addressed to Myanmar president Min Aung Hlaing, the network said millions of Thai residents living along the four rivers have been affected by pollution linked to upstream mining operations.

The group claimed toxic substances released from mines have entered the region’s food chain, forcing farmers in the Mekong basin to irrigate more than 110,000 rai of rice fields with contaminated water. Rice grown in those areas is subsequently distributed to consumers across Thailand.

The network added that the pollution has devastated local livelihoods. Fishermen in approximately 60 riverside villages have struggled to sell their catches because of public concerns over contamination by heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and mercury.

The Ministry of Public Health has advised people to avoid consuming fish and fish organs from the affected waterways, while tourism operators have suffered declining business as environmental concerns discourage visitors.

About 40,000 households, or 120,000 residents, in Chiang Rai, continue to rely on municipal water supplies containing heavy metals, the network said.

UN envoys and working groups previously issued a letter on April 21, raising concerns over environmental degradation and cross-border human rights impacts linked to mining activities. Myanmar responded on June 17, denying the allegations and asserting that no mining operations exist along the Kok River. The network rejected the claim, arguing that satellite imagery clearly shows mining sites in the area.

The protesters called on Myanmar’s authorities to acknowledge the pollution and immediately suspend all mining activities along riverbanks until the issue is resolved.

The Royal Forestry Department (RFD) on Monday expanded its crackdown on alleged forest encroachment in Phuket, targeting eight locations as part of the government’s “Phuket Model” policy to reclaim illegally occupied land.

The operation follows the removal of 500 structures at Nui Beach last month under a court order, ending a decade-long dispute over land encroachment at the popular tourist site.

RFD deputy director-general Phatpong Samittipat said the latest operation was launched after the department received information from the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) about suspected encroachment at eight locations across the island.

More than 160 officials were deployed from Aug 3-5 to inspect sites in Thep Krasattri and Choeng Thale in Thalang district, Sri Sunthorn, Rawai, Kamala and Patong.

Mr Phatpong said mountainous areas were the main focus due to extensive deforestation. Some plots may be held by private individuals with land title deeds, but authorities will verify whether the documents were legally issued.

The operation also targeted Paradise Patong restaurant, which Mr Phatpong said was reportedly linked to an influential figure.

He said the Nui Beach operation was nearly complete, with only some areas still under negotiation with the Land Reform Office. The Forestry Department, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources will continue monitoring the area to prevent repeat offences.

Officials also plan to clean up Nui Beach and Laem Krathing Cape before designating them as a recreational forest park.

Mr Phatpong said the successful operations at Nui Beach and Freedom Beach would serve as a model for future action, including Paradise Patong and Wat Phra Yai in Karon.

The Democrat Party on Monday called for an investigation into alleged proxy voting by People’s Party councillors during a recent Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) meeting, saying it would file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

At a press conference, party spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang and five Democrat councillors questioned an incident during the July 31 meeting in which the electronic voting system recorded 41 votes, despite only 40 councillors being present.

Bangkok Noi councillor Napapon Chirakul said the council’s electronic voting system requires members to verify their identities with membership cards. He said one card appeared to have been left in a voting terminal.

Mr Napapon said Yannawa councillor Phattharasak Mai-Pranet later admitted pressing both his own voting button and that assigned to Sathon councillor Sairam Prakaikij, both from the People’s Party.

He rejected claims of a machine malfunction, saying faulty terminals display an error signal and cannot be used.

Pom Prap Sattru Phai councillor Nipapan Chuenglertsiri said she witnessed Mr Phattharasak cast his own vote before pressing the neighbouring button, adding that any genuine mistake should have been reported immediately to the meeting chair.

Mr Pongsakorn said the Democrats would file a complaint with the NACC, ask the interior minister to investigate possible ethical breaches, and seek clarification from the council chairman on further action.

The People’s Party (PP) has learned its lesson from supporting Anutin Charnvirakul’s bid for the premiership, deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun said on Monday, apologising to the public and ruling out future cooperation with the ruling Bhumjaithai Party (BJT).

Speaking at parliament, Ms Sirikanya was asked about speculation over possible coalition realignments if the current government bloc fails to command enough parliamentary support.

She said a coalition between the “red” (Pheu Thai Party) and “green” (Klatham Party) camps alone might not be sufficient, leaving two possibilities: either negotiations to keep the current coalition together or talks to form a new government. In either case, she said, discussions would also have to involve the PP for any political equation to be complete.

When asked whether the PP remained open to talks, Ms Sirikanya said political discussions were always possible. However, she drew a clear distinction regarding the BJT, commonly referred to as the “blue camp.”

“Yes,” she replied when asked whether the door was completely closed to any cooperation with the BJT. “We have already learned our lesson,” she said.

“At the time, we did not know that the agreement we had reached would later be broken. It taught us that we cannot simply assume others will honour their commitments.”

She apologised to the public, saying the party’s decision had disappointed many voters. “I sincerely apologise to the public. Our decision that day was one of the reasons Bhumjaithai has reached where it is today. People may analyse it differently, but we apologise — and we’ve learned our lesson,” she said.

The PP has faced sustained criticism from political opponents and its own supporters for its decision in September 2025 to vote for Mr Anutin, the BJT leader, to become prime minister after the removal of the previous government. The PP argued at the time that its support was conditional and intended to prevent prolonged political deadlock rather than to join the government. Under a memorandum of agreement, Mr Anutin was expected to lead a minority administration, dissolve parliament within four months and begin the process of constitutional reform. The PP remained in opposition and did not take cabinet positions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin on Monday welcomed the opposition’s planned no-confidence motion, saying the government had nothing to fear. He said parliamentary scrutiny was a normal part of the democratic process and the opposition should be commended for carrying out its duty.

The Ministry of Public Health has stepped up enforcement of cannabis rules, revealing the results of operations conducted since October.

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat on Monday attended a meeting on guidelines for enforcing cannabis regulations under the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medical Knowledge Act.

Mr Pattana said his ministry was pressing ahead with the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act, designed to limit cannabis to medical use while preventing recreational consumption and reducing risks to children and young people.

Since enforcement began last October, authorities have inspected 1,326 cannabis shops, carried out 83 seizures and begun legal proceedings against 40 individuals or businesses. Products worth more than 109 million baht have been seized.

Officials have also suspended 84 operating licences, revoked four and reviewed 39 appeals against suspensions or revocations.

Mr Pattana said the meeting was aimed at ensuring officials applied the rules consistently. Participants from the ministry, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and local administrative bodies were trained on procedures covering cultivation, sales, medical use and inspection of licensed businesses.

Officials will now inspect premises nationwide. Violators could face corrective orders, licence suspension, closure or prosecution, depending on the severity of the offence.

Mr Pattana acknowledged that political turmoil had delayed cannabis legislation in recent years but said the government remained committed to accelerating the bill, dismissing concerns over ongoing uncertainty surrounding its passage.

He reiterated his ministry’s long-standing position that “cannabis is for medical use only”.

Extracts containing more than 0.2% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) remain classified as narcotics under existing law, he said, but any broader move to reclassify cannabis would rest with the relevant authorities, said Mr Pattana.

If the new act takes effect, cultivators will be required to obtain permits under the framework. Licensed retailers will be allowed to continue trading until their current three-year licences expire, after which they must comply with the new rules.

A Chinese activist detained in Thailand has arrived in Canada, a month after police prevented her boarding a flight from Bangkok to Vancouver, according to supporters.

Sheng Xue, a Toronto-based activist who first drew attention to the case, said the flight finally went ahead on Monday, posting a picture online of Zhang Xinyan at Vancouver International Airport with supporters.

Ms Zhang, a 55-year-old Chinese national, is one of several Hong Kong democracy campaigners living in exile abroad. She first moved to Thailand in 2014 to escape persecution based on her participation in Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China.

On May 7 this year she was arrested in Bangkok for overstaying her visa and taken to the Suan Phlu immigration detention centre in Bangkok. Supporters expressed concern that she would be deported.

Ms Sheng subsequently set in motion efforts to resettle Ms Zhang, who already held UN-approved refugee status. Canadian officials investigated the case and approved the resettlement application.

The Canadian embassy in Thailand booked a flight from Bangkok to Vancouver on July 8, but Ms Zhang was not allowed to board and was taken back to the detention centre.

Ms Zhang, also known as Lily Zhang, is among 19 activists based overseas who are the subject of arrest warrants issued by Hong Kong police in July 2025 for subversion under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. ‘Bounties’ for their capture ranged from HK$200,000 to HK$1 million.

If Ms Zhang had been sent back to Hong Kong, she would have become the first person charged under the national security law to be deported and imprisoned.

Pressure from Ottawa and the UN refugee agency, as well as an intervention by Thai lawmakers and international human rights groups, eventually resulted in Ms Zhang being allowed to leave Thailand, Ms Sheng said.

‘Once Thai authorities recognised Canada’s uncompromising stance, they abandoned their resistance and pivoted to ensuring her safe departure by all available means,’ she wrote in an email to the Globe and Mail newspaper in Toronto.

‘On the night before her flight, alongside Canadian diplomats who accompanied her, senior Thai police officers personally escorted Ms Zhang. Under direct orders from senior commanders and with dedicated drivers, they safely escorted her all the way to [Suvarnabhumi Airport] to board her flight to Canada.’

Around the same time Ms Zhang was initially prevented from flying to Canada, Thai authorities also detained Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong. He is now in immigration detention and China has requested his extradition, accusing him of extortion and bribery.

In this case of Ms Zhang, efforts by the Chinese Communist Party had failed, said Ms Sheng.

She described the activist’s arrival in Vancouver as a ‘major defeat for the CCP’s long-arm jurisdiction, diplomatic coercion and transnational repression in Southeast Asia and beyond’.

The Ministry of Finance is scheduled to roll out the Thailand Individual Savings Account (TISA) by September to further promote household savings following the success of the government retail bond programme dubbed ‘Aom Plus’ (Savings Plus).

According to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the ministry aims to finalise the details of the TISA investment framework by September. The primary objective is to encourage long-term savings to ensure individuals have sufficient financial resources for retirement, as the ageing population is growing rapidly.

Currently, around 20% of the population is aged over 60, while the country’s household savings rate remains relatively low.

According to Mr Ekniti, the TISA will differ from previous tax-advantaged investment products such as the Long-Term Equity Fund (LTF), Retirement Mutual Fund (RMF) and Super Savings Fund (SSF).

The new scheme will allow individuals to choose investment options based on their own risk tolerance.

Savings accumulated through the TISA are also expected to support the development of Thailand’s capital market and encourage younger generations to begin investing and saving through the capital market from the start of their working careers.

The government is still considering the tax deduction framework to strike a balance between providing incentives and maintaining fiscal sustainability.

In addition to TISA, the government is also committed to continuing to promote savings through the Savings Bond Plus programme, which opened for subscriptions this week. The issuance will adopt the ‘small lot first’ allocation principle to improve access to government savings bonds for retail investors and the general public.

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is investigating how vehicle owners’ private information was stolen and shared online – including, reportedly, data on the prime minister’s Rolls-Royce.

Director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said on Tuesday the DLT and the National Cyber Security Agency were investigating how the data breach occured.

His department keep record of vehicle registrations andshares access to the data with other agencies including the Royal Thai Police Office, the Office of the Attorney-General and private firms that offer vehicle checks and related services.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasa said he was aware of the data breach and had ordered a quick investigation.

It was reported that leaked data about private vehicles was shared on some websites that allow people to search for personal and vehicle information by inputting licence plate numbers.

The information reportedly included data linked to the Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended owned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The government is reviewing long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with private producers as part of efforts to lower electricity prices, Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said on Sunday.

Mr Pakorn, who chairs a committee reviewing issues arising from private power purchases, said the National Energy Policy Council (NEPC) approved negotiations on the agreements on July 17.

The decision allows state electricity authorities to begin talks with private operators immediately without seeking further cabinet approval, he said.

Mr Pakorn said the priority was to complete negotiations on the long-term contracts, arguing that agreements spanning several decades should be reviewed periodically.

“In practice, no contract should remain unchanged throughout a 50-year term,” he said. “Reviews should be made periodically for long-term contracts, for example every 10 years, to reflect inflation, production costs and changing conditions.”

The current average purchase price is about 2.16 baht per unit, while the cost of generating electricity using some technologies continues to decline, he said.

The contracts must therefore be reviewed to determine whether the purchase price reflects actual production costs and is fair to consumers, he added.

The committee is also examining the “availability payment”, which ensures power plants are ready to operate even when they are not generating electricity and forms part of overall electricity costs.

“The negotiations are not intended to terminate existing contracts or undermine investor confidence, but rather to bring them into line with international practice,” he said.

Mr Pakorn said lowering electricity prices required a comprehensive review of the entire power system, rather than a focus solely on purchase contracts.

The power development plan (PDP) must be based on realistic scientific data, not projections that overestimate the risk of future power shortages, he said.

The government needs a clearer assessment of available energy sources, including natural gas, wind, solar power and other alternatives, to support long-term planning.

It must also prepare for rising electricity demand from data centres, reduce transmission costs and monitor the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) — nuclear power units with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts, roughly one-third that of traditional reactors.

Mr Pakorn warned that Thailand’s long-term competitiveness could suffer if neighbouring countries benefit from lower labour costs and new energy resources while the kingdom relies heavily on imported energy and faces high electricity prices.

“The government must ensure we have sufficient power and at reasonable prices. People in remote areas must also have access to electricity without unnecessary regulations,” he said.

The committee was appointed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to study the electricity pricing structure and ensure fairness for consumers.

Rising costs arising from power purchase agreements with private producers have become a major concern among the public and private sectors.

They include the availability payment and the energy payment, which cover electricity generated and supplied to the system based on the amount produced.