Suphajee, together with Ponpii, is spearheading efforts to ensure fairness for SMEs regarding Credit Terms and GP fees, reviewing competition rules on digital platforms. The aim is for the digital economy to grow alongside creating widespread opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs.
29 Oct 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Suphajee Sutthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, , Mr. Ponpii Suwanchawi, Deputy Minister of Interior (MOT 2), and Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, held a meeting with relevant agencies including the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Consumer Protection Board, Ministry of Justice, Council of State, National Security Council Office, and Public Relations Department. The discussion focused on studying ways to promote fairness in competition on digital platforms, especially regarding the use of algorithms for ranking and recommending products, which affect SMEs’ opportunities to reach consumers. They are advancing a review of regulatory mechanisms to keep pace with evolving business models so that entrepreneurs of all sizes, particularly SMEs, can compete fairly.
Ms. Suphajee stated that the government has continuously prioritized resolving trade unfairness, starting with addressing issues related to payment terms, or Credit Terms, which caused SMEs to wait long periods to receive payments from larger partners, extending to managing sales fees on online platforms, known as GP fees, which are significant costs for small entrepreneurs. The government uses the Competition Commission and related agencies to consider solutions so that smaller businesses can operate under fairer commercial conditions.
Monitoring these issues reveals that competition in the digital economy is more complex than just costs and trade terms. In particular, platform algorithms play roles in ranking, recommending products, and determining consumer visibility, which can affect each entrepreneur’s competitive opportunities. Since online sales widely involve budgets to boost visibility and customer reach, businesses with more capital may have advantages, while SMEs with limited budgets may face additional costs to remain competitive.
“We have tried to solve obstacles for SMEs such as Credit Terms and GP fees. But looking deeper into online trade systems, competition depends not only on product quality and price but also on who consumers see. We must understand how algorithms affect competition and how to ensure smaller entrepreneurs can still reach customers and grow, even with limited marketing budgets.”
Ms. Suphajee emphasized that advertising and promotions are normal business mechanisms that help entrepreneurs reach consumers more effectively. However, transparency in ranking and recommendation criteria, as well as trade conditions that may disadvantage some entrepreneurs or impose excessive costs, especially in markets where large platforms connect buyers and sellers, must be considered. It is necessary to study whether current competition mechanisms sufficiently ensure fairness for entrepreneurs of all sizes.
For short-term measures, the government has discussed with major e-commerce platforms—Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok—to ease fee burdens on SMEs. These platforms have agreed to reduce fees, part of efforts to lower costs and improve competitive chances for small entrepreneurs. At the same time, the government sees that managing costs alone is insufficient and must also consider overall platform competition structures.
Looking ahead, the meeting discussed the need to review laws and regulatory mechanisms governing competition on digital platforms, particularly assessing whether existing laws adequately accommodate rapidly changing business models and technologies. They also plan to study international experiences to develop approaches suitable for Thailand’s context, emphasizing transparency, fair competition, and promoting digital economy growth simultaneously.
Ms. Suphajee assigned the Council of State, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Competition Commission, Consumer Protection Board, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Finance to jointly study legal and regulatory limitations and explore ways to enhance competition regulation in the digital era effectively, considering the roles and responsibilities of each agency and the comprehensive impacts on entrepreneurs and consumers.
“The key is to establish rules that allow entrepreneurs of all sizes to compete fairly, especially SMEs with limited capital and bargaining power. At the same time, we must not hinder private sector technology development and innovation. Our goal is to grow the digital economy while creating inclusive opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs.”