To prevent excessive debt from “Buy Now, Pay Later,” the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand propose limiting credit to no more than 20,000 baht, with a maximum installment period of six months and total interest plus fees capped at 15% per year. Public feedback is open until 15 Nov 2026 GMT+7.
On 19 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Lalida Pertwittayatan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that the government is advancing efforts to address household debt and protect digital financial service users. The Ministry of Finance, under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Akniti Nitithanprapas, together with the Bank of Thailand, is seeking public comments on draft regulations to oversee “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) credit from 16 Oct to 15 Nov 2026 GMT+7. The aim is to prevent excessive debt and ensure fairness for consumers.
Ms. Lalida said the draft regulations propose users be at least 20 years old, with credit limits capped at 20,000 baht per person. Each installment plan would have a maximum repayment period of six months. The draft also sets a ceiling on total interest and related fees not exceeding 15% per year, calculated as an effective rate, including fees and any price increases due to installment terms. This is to ensure the public clearly understands the full cost of credit.
Additionally, the draft requires providers to assess customers’ repayment capacity, disclose interest rates, fees, and debt schedules clearly, separate the product purchase decision from the credit application process, and establish appropriate and fair debt collection methods. These measures aim to prevent the convenience of digital installment platforms from leading to accumulating debt burdens.
“The government wants people to have convenient and fair access to financial services, but they must be aware of costs and debt obligations before opting to pay in installments. Even small payments can become overwhelming if multiple plans are active simultaneously. This regulatory oversight aims to increase transparency and prevent long-term household debt problems,” Ms. Lalida said.
The Deputy Spokesperson emphasized that the draft regulation is currently only open for public comment and has no binding effect yet. Citizens and businesses can provide feedback until 15 Nov 2026 GMT+7 via the Bank of Thailand’s website www.bot.or.th or the central legal system to help develop appropriate and fair regulations for all parties.