The government is tightening control over E-Commerce platforms by introducing new guidelines to prevent monopolies and unfair trade practices, effective from 25 March 2026.
On 26 March 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertvivattana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the Trade Competition Commission (TCC) has issued a declaration regarding guidelines for unfair trade practices and monopoly or anti-competitive actions in E-Commerce platform businesses. This announcement was published in the Royal Gazette on 24 March 2026 and has been in effect since 25 March 2026.
The Deputy Spokesperson said the announcement clearly defines a regulatory framework for digital platform businesses, covering five groups: platform operators, product sellers, logistics providers, digital advertising service providers, and payment service providers. The measures aim to prevent behaviors potentially classified as unfair trade, such as setting prices below cost to eliminate competitors, imposing conditions prohibiting sales on other platforms, forcing the use of the platform's logistics or payment systems, and unfairly ranking products through algorithms or favoring their own business interests.
The announcement also specifies prohibited behaviors related to pricing and other aspects, including charging excessive fees, discriminating among sellers, using data from other operators to gain competitive advantage, and unjustifiably reducing product visibility. However, if a business can prove that such actions have economic, technological, or non-competitive justifications, exemptions may be granted under established criteria.
“This announcement marks a significant step in elevating the regulation of Thailand’s digital economy, fostering fair and transparent competition, and comprehensively protecting both businesses and consumers within online platforms,” she said.