- The Thai government held a meeting with 28 agencies to combat the import of substandard and illegal goods, focusing on consumer protection and regulatory compliance. They introduced five measures, including a special task force for monitoring and weekly progress reports.
- Chaired by Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the meeting highlighted directives for protecting Thai producers. Measures include strengthened customs enforcement, product quality checks, stricter online business oversight, and mandatory registration for foreign business platforms.
- The Revenue Department is revising tax codes for online sellers, while the Ministry of Commerce supports impacted SMEs through technical training. Thailand seeks stronger trading partner collaborations to boost e-commerce and ensure fair trade, enhancing its global competitive stance.
The government convened a meeting with 28 relevant agencies to address the issue of importing substandard and illegal goods and services into the country.
The meeting focused on safeguarding consumers and businesses while ensuring compliance with global trade regulations. Five key measures were introduced, including the establishment of a special task force to monitor and suppress non-compliant goods and businesses. Progress reports on these efforts will be submitted on a weekly basis.
Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai chaired the meeting. This followed Cabinet directives to establish clear guidelines for resolving these issues and protecting the interests of Thai producers and entrepreneurs. The measures include enhanced enforcement at customs checkpoints, thorough checks on product quality and business registrations, and stricter oversight of online business practices. Additionally, the government plans to require foreign business platforms to register as legal entities with offices in Thailand.
In line with these initiatives, the Revenue Department is revising tax codes to mandate that online sellers and platforms based abroad register for VAT. Furthermore, the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with related agencies, will offer technical training to impacted industries. Support will be extended to SMEs, with a focus on enhancing product quality and competitiveness, particularly in expanding exports through nine key e-commerce platforms.
Thailand also aims to strengthen collaborations with trading partners such as China, Japan, and Korea. These efforts will boost e-commerce channels for Thai products in international markets. The measures are designed to ensure fair trade, protect domestic interests, and foster a competitive environment for Thai businesses in the evolving global trade landscape.
