Akardet sets the framework for reviewing the Trade Competition Act, emphasizing fairness for all sectors, closing legal loopholes to prevent monopolies, protecting SMEs, and enabling both large and small businesses to grow together.
On 7 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Akardet Wongpitakrot, Member of Parliament for Ratchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the special committee reviewing the draft Trade Competition Act (No. ..) B.E. ...., revealed the approach for considering the draft law. He said the committee’s working framework will adhere to the principle of fairness to all sectors, as this law impacts the public and businesses broadly, covering both domestic and international trade, as well as operators at all levels.
Mr. Akardet stated that the committee will thoroughly study lessons learned from enforcing the previous law to review and amend existing gaps and practical shortcomings to maximize benefits. In particular, they will focus on issues related to supervising trade competition more effectively, ensuring the law truly meets the current economic conditions and trade competition environment.
Regarding mergers that could lead to market monopolies, Mr. Akardet noted the committee will assess whether the powers and duties of the Trade Competition Commission are sufficient to prevent and control monopolies. They will also examine legal loopholes, penalty measures, and the effectiveness of law enforcement to date.
“We must distinguish whether problems arise from legal limitations or from law enforcement that isn’t strong enough. We will use the case study of mergers among major telecommunications businesses as an important lesson to prevent monopolies in similar forms in other sectors in the future, because monopolies directly affect consumers,” he said. Mr. Akardet added.
He emphasized that the core of this law is to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so they can compete fairly in the market, especially when facing competition from large operators and imported goods from abroad.
Addressing concerns that the law might negatively impact large businesses, Mr. Akardet said the law is not intended to restrict rights or create obstacles for large operators. Instead, it aims to balance fairness for all parties. Large operators already have capital advantages, but the law must ensure fairness for them as well, enabling free and fair competition among themselves while protecting smaller operators from exploitation.
He also mentioned another key concept: promoting greater cooperation between large and small operators through knowledge transfer, shared production capabilities, and joint supply chain development, so both sides can grow together.
“This law is not about disadvantaging large businesses but about creating a system where large and small enterprises can coexist in balance, support each other, and grow together within Thailand’s economy without monopolies or trade exploitation,” he said. Mr. Akardet concluded.