On 9 October 2023, the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand ("TCCT") unveiled its 2024 plan at the "TCCT: New Era of Free and Fair" conference. With a focus on supervising market structures and addressing unfair trade practices in the e-commerce sector, TCCT aims to ensure equitable competition.
E-Commerce
With Thailand's digital economy rapidly expanding, TCCT recognises the imperative of regulating e-commerce to ensure a level playing field. The market, valued at THB 100 billion, has witnessed substantial growth in e-commerce, e-service, and e-logistics. To combat emerging challenges, TCCT is actively studying global models, notably in the European Union (EU), to formulate guidelines that will govern the digital market. Anticipated for early 2024, these guidelines aim to address issues of competition restrictions and unfair trade practices in the digital market.
Strengthening Supervision and Revising the Law
Acknowledging a rise in mergers and acquisitions, with a value of THB 4.27 trillion during the past five years, TCCT aims to strengthen supervision to prevent potential monopolies or unfair trade practices. Moreover, to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the competitive landscape, TCCT plans to revise laws, increase efficiency, and adopt an 'Ex-ante approach' to prevent unfair trade practices.
In response to industry speculation prevalent in 2022, TCCT is currently overhauling regulations and guidelines across multiple facets to align with the evolving landscape of business operations.
