Thailand moves to regulate digital platforms and lower fees for SMEs

The Thai Ministry of Commerce has successfully negotiated with major e-marketplace platforms, including Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada, to reduce mandatory fees for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a short-term measure, these platforms have agreed to revert mandatory fee rates to those used on January 1, 2026, for a period of at least six months. This initiative is expected to reduce the financial burden on small businesses by approximately 1,930 million baht.

In the House of Representatives, Pheu Thai Party members have also been debating the Electronic Transactions Act. Lawmakers emphasized the need for legislation that establishes a digital economy based on international standards while protecting Thai citizens from cybercrime and preventing monopolies. Discussions focused on ensuring that new laws do not disproportionately benefit foreign capital at the expense of local businesses and that mechanisms are in place to rapidly address technological crimes and trade imbalances.