Commission to review competition guidelines

Thailand's Trade Competition Commission (TCCT) is reviewing its competition guidelines across three key sectors: digital platforms, modern trade, and on-demand delivery services. The review comes after studies of market structures and business feedback from several provinces indicated that existing guidelines may no longer adequately reflect today's fast-changing commercial landscape.

A public consultation period is currently open from July 31 to August 31, 2026, giving businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on how the guidelines should be updated.

Sudharma Yoonaidharma, vice-chairman and acting chairman of the TCCT, stated that the commission is accelerating efforts to strengthen competition oversight in these three priority industries. The aim is to ensure that updated guidelines better address evolving business models and market conduct, while improving the effectiveness of competition law enforcement.

The commission has approved the formation of two new subcommittees: one focused on regulating digital platform businesses and preventing unfair trade practices, and another tasked with setting guidelines and action plans for competition conditions in the wholesale and modern trade sectors.

The TCCT's multi-sided e-commerce platforms guideline, which came into effect on March 24, 2026, already establishes a legal framework covering platform operators, online sellers, logistics providers, and digital advertisers. It specifically targets practices such as predatory pricing, self-preferencing in search rankings, and exclusive dealing mandates. The guideline also addresses algorithmic management and data usage to promote a fair and competitive environment across digital marketplaces.

Discussions are also planned with related parties on digital platform regulations, followed by consultations with academics and industry experts on issues affecting platform-based ride-hailing services. Findings from these sessions will feed into the broader public consultation process.

For food delivery, the TCCT had previously introduced governing guidelines for food delivery platforms back in 2020, though the article notes these are also under review as part of the current process.

For businesses operating in Thailand, particularly those active in e-commerce, logistics, or platform-based services, staying informed about regulatory developments like these is important for maintaining compliance and understanding your legal obligations in an evolving competitive landscape.

If you are a business owner or investor in Thailand with questions about how these regulatory changes may affect your operations, SLF Legal is here to help you navigate the legal landscape with confidence.