# Minister of Commerce Chairs Meeting to Combat Illegal Imports

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/trade/159294-minister-of-commerce-chairs-meeting-to-combat-illegal-imports
- Published: 2024-08-30T18:58:09+07:00
- Author: NNT

* 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

### Related**Posts**

###  󠀁[What Would an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement Mean for Foreign Investors?](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/331504-what-would-an-asean-canada-free-trade-agreement-mean-for-foreign-investors)󠁿

###  󠀁[The Changing Map of Growth: Why East Asia and the RCEP Are More Important Than Ever](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/opinion/328474-the-changing-map-of-growth-why-east-asia-and-the-rcep-are-more-important-than-ever)󠁿

###  󠀁[China and ASEAN trade deal speeds up business exchanges](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/asean/329080-china-and-asean-trade-deal-speeds-up-business-exchanges)󠁿

###  󠀁[Thailand Business News — Morning Briefing : Thailand & Asia | 17 September 2026](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/finance/329176-thailand-business-news-morning-briefing-thailand-asia-17-september-2026)󠁿

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.

[Source link ](https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/home/)