Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is set to propose an amended Postal Act, first enacted in 1934, to the cabinet this month, aiming to bring the law in line with the realities of the digital and app-driven delivery economy. The revised law will shift the regulatory approach from strict licensing to a registration-based system, focusing on minimum service standards, parcel safety, and consumer protection, while minimizing compliance costs for small and digital-based operators.

The DES Ministry emphasized that the amendments are designed to ensure healthy competition and regulatory clarity without discouraging innovation or disadvantaging smaller players. The law will also establish a clearer legal framework for supervising both public and private parcel delivery services, moving beyond the current fragmented oversight under the Office of the Consumer Protection Board.

The reform could also impact Thailand Post’s role, as some previously exclusive services may be opened to private sector competition. With Thailand’s express parcel delivery market valued at approximately THB 115 billion (USD 3.45 billion) in 2024, and daily volumes reaching 7–8 million parcels, competition has intensified. While global players like J&T Express have rebounded from losses, concerns over predatory pricing and service quality have driven calls for better regulatory standards.

Thailand Post remains the market leader, followed by Flash Express, J&T Express, and Kerry Express. The amended law aims to balance market openness with service reliability, at a time when e-commerce continues to drive sector growth. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Transport Ministry is moving to formally regulate app-based ride-hailing services like Grab by requiring all vehicles and drivers to register under a new digital platform law within 90 days. The effort aims to create a level playing field between traditional metered taxis and digital services, addressing longstanding concerns over regulatory disparity.

The upcoming regulations—based on a draft announcement from the Electronic Transactions Commission—will mandate that all ride-sharing vehicles be registered under vehicle categories Ror Yor 17 and Ror Yor 18, with drivers required to hold valid public driver’s licenses. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has introduced instant criminal background checks at its offices to expedite licensing.

Platforms must also ensure fare rates remain within legal limits and introduce measures to penalize driver misconduct. Registered operators must provide trip and fare data to the DLT for oversight. The ministry is also reviewing commission structures used by ride-hailing apps to ensure fairness for drivers and consumers alike.

The new rules are part of broader efforts to regulate digital platform services, and will apply to both taxis and motorbike ride-hailing providers. The law is expected to enter into force within three months, marking a major step toward formalizing Thailand’s fast-growing ride-hailing sector. [The Nation]

Thailand has strengthened its legal safeguards for whistleblowers through a major amendment to the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption, which came into force on June 6, 2025. The revised law—Organic Act on Anti-Corruption (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025)—introduces a clear framework for protecting individuals who report corruption, addressing longstanding gaps in legal immunity, assistance, and procedural guarantees.

Under the revised Section 132, individuals who submit information in good faith to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) or cooperating state agencies are protected from civil, criminal, and disciplinary liability. This immunity extends to statements, evidence, and opinions given during investigations.

The amendment also obligates the NACC to assess within 15 days whether protection applies once a whistleblower faces legal or disciplinary consequences. If protection is granted, the NACC must provide immediate support, including:

· Legal aid in civil and criminal proceedings

· Financial assistance for private legal counsel and court fees

· Official recognition of whistleblower status for prosecutors and courts

· Direct intervention in disciplinary cases to halt proceedings

· Assistance securing bail or temporary release, without requiring bond

The National Counter Corruption Fund will cover associated costs. The law also applies retroactively to individuals who submitted information prior to its enactment, provided their cases remain unresolved. [Tilleke & Gibbins]

Thailand’s national wage committee has approved a significant increase in the daily minimum wage, raising it to THB 400 (USD 12) for all workers in Bangkok, effective July 1, 2025. This new rate applies across all sectors within the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), covering all 50 districts of the capital.

The THB 400 rate will also be extended to unskilled workers in the hospitality and entertainment sectors in select provinces nationwide. Specifically, it will apply to:

· Hotels rated two stars or higher with at least 50 rooms

· Entertainment venues, such as karaoke bars and cocktail lounges, as defined under Thailand’s Entertainment Venue Act

· Other establishments registered under the Service Establishments Act

The wage increase is expected to benefit around 700,000 workers across the country. It represents a major expansion from the current THB 400 minimum, previously limited to a few high-tourism provinces including Phuket, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chachoengsao, and Koh Samui.

To ease the burden on affected employers, the Ministry of Labour is working with six major banks to provide THB 30 billion (USD 900 million) in soft loans, with additional relief measures under consideration. Employers in the covered sectors are encouraged to prepare for compliance and explore financing options under this support scheme. [Bangkok Post] [The Nation]

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is preparing a second round of public hearings on proposed restrictions to margin lending practices, aiming to address rising concerns over the misuse of margin loans for purposes unrelated to stock market investment. The new rules are expected to be introduced in the third quarter of 2025.

According to SEC officials, some securities firms have allowed clients to use margin credit for non-investment activities, effectively turning margin accounts into unauthorized personal or multipurpose loans—a practice restricted to licensed financial institutions regulated by the Bank of Thailand.

To address these risks, the SEC intends to:

· Prohibit non-investment use of margin credit

· Tighten collateral requirements and credit risk assessments

· Remove mutual funds from the list of eligible marginable securities

· Enforce client verification to ensure borrowed funds are used solely for trading

Brokerages, already under pressure from unfavorable market conditions, are concerned that stricter rules could reduce income from margin portfolios and lead to deleveraging by clients. As of April 2025, total margin loan exposure stood at THB 62 billion (USD 1.8 billion).

In parallel, the SEC is developing a centralized monitoring platform, known as the Security Bureau, in cooperation with the Association of Securities Companies. Scheduled to launch on February 1, 2026, the system will allow firms to track margin loan usage across brokerages and improve industry-wide oversight.

Earlier measures already implemented include adjustments to initial margin levels, alignment of credit limits with brokerage financials, and the introduction of concentration limits on client collateral. While the SEC has investigated recent concerns about naked short selling, it reported no violations, attributing a recent case to a minor system error.

The SEC emphasized that while some measures may take immediate effect, others will be phased in to give the industry time to adapt. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI)—a specialized agency responsible for handling complex financial crimes, corruption, and transnational offenses—has submitted the case of a final suspect in the fatal collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building to the special prosecutor. This marks a significant step in its broader probe into nominee shareholding, bid-rigging, and violations of the Foreign Business Act.

The building, constructed by a consortium of Italian-Thai Development PLC (ITD) and China Railway No.10 (Thailand) Co.—a subsidiary of the state-owned China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC)—collapsed during an earthquake on March 28, killing 89 people and injuring nine, with seven workers still missing.

The final suspect, Chinese national Wu Bing Lin (also known by a Thai alias), turned himself in on June 13. Although not officially listed as an executive, he is closely linked to three Thai board members who serve in at least ten other companies connected to him. He is the fifth person referred for prosecution, alongside three Thai nationals and another Chinese executive.

The DSI has uncovered the involvement of approximately 70 state officials and continues to investigate three government contracts related to the project’s design, construction, and oversight. Key evidence includes the use of cement lacking Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) certification, in violation of procurement terms. The agency is now working with the Department of Public Works and the TISI to verify these materials. The findings will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) next week. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Ministry of Labor has launched a renewed crackdown on foreigners working in jobs reserved exclusively for Thai nationals, following the arrest of over 4,400 foreign workers in the past nine months for violating employment restrictions. The campaign, ordered by Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, targets unauthorized employment in sectors classified as "List-1" occupations—roles legally off-limits to foreigners under Thai labor law.

According to the ministry, illegal employment persists largely due to cost-cutting by employers and lax enforcement by legal authorities. From October 2024 to mid-June 2025, authorities identified foreign nationals working illegally as vendors, barbers, traditional masseurs, chauffeurs, and secretaries. Of these, 417 individuals faced legal charges. Additional violations were found in "List-3" and "List-4" categories, covering conditionally prohibited work such as construction, agriculture, and retail, with hundreds more charges filed.

The Ministry of Labor is coordinating with the police and Department of Employment to prosecute and repatriate offenders. Employers are being urged to comply with labor regulations, as the government seeks to safeguard Thai employment and restore integrity to the labor market. Officials also emphasized that public reports of violations remain an essential part of enforcement efforts. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is set to launch the Intelligence Business Analytics System (IBAS) in August 2025, a digital platform designed to detect and screen nominee businesses—entities illegally fronting for foreign investors in violation of the Foreign Business Act.

According to Vice-Minister of Commerce Voravongsa Ramangkura, who chairs the ministry’s digital economy committee, IBAS will use big data analysis to rapidly trace links between individuals and entities, allowing targeted, high-precision enforcement. The system will integrate data from multiple agencies, including the Revenue Department, Customs, Department of Lands, Royal Thai Police, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office, to strengthen preventive oversight of economic activities.

From September 2024 to May 2025, enforcement bodies cracked down on 861 nominee businesses, resulting in estimated damages of THB 15.3 billion (USD 459 million). Authorities also pursued over 57,000 cases involving illegal goods, collected THB 1.88 billion (USD 56 million) in under-declared import taxes, and removed nearly 15,000 items from online platforms.

A new inspection framework will now focus on 46,918 legal entities with partial foreign ownership (between 0.001% and 49.99%), especially in provinces with high concentrations of suspected front companies: Chon Buri (14,264 entities), Bangkok (10,193), Surat Thani (7,096), and Phuket (6,682). Review periods will range from one month to one year, depending on local caseloads. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport will introduce a new “contractor report card” system in August 2025 to strengthen oversight of public infrastructure contractors. The system aims to improve safety, accountability, and performance in state construction projects, following a series of fatal incidents in recent years—including steel falls at the Purple Line MRT site and accidents along Rama II Road.

The new framework, drafted by the Ministry of Finance’s Comptroller General Department and currently under legal review, will assess contractor performance through score-based evaluations. Contractors will face point deductions for safety violations, delays, or other breaches. Severe cases—such as fatalities due to negligence—may result in suspensions of up to two years or permanent removal from the government contractor registry.

While the system will apply only to contracts signed after its implementation, state agencies have been instructed to intensify monitoring of current projects. The initiative will operate alongside existing penalties like fines and disqualification from state bidding, signaling a broader shift toward preventive accountability in Thailand’s public procurement system. [Bangkok Post]

Thai police have arrested a Chinese national and two Thai citizens believed to be part of a transnational scam network based in Pattaya, a popular coastal city in Chon Buri province. The operation, which authorities say used Thailand as a hub for fraudulent activities, was disrupted after an extended surveillance effort by local law enforcement.

The primary suspect, a 29-year-old Chinese man identified as Ju Jia Gen, was apprehended under a warrant issued by the Pattaya Criminal Court. Authorities seized multiple mobile phones, several vehicles, and THB 900,000 (USD 26,100) in cash believed to be linked to the scam. Two Thai nationals, aged 20 and 22, were also arrested and reportedly confessed to participating in the scheme.

Police described the bust as a key step in dismantling a cross-border criminal network, and further investigations are ongoing into both domestic and international financial transactions tied to the group. More arrests are expected as authorities continue tracing the wider network. [Bangkok Post]

A 22-year-old Chinese man was found dead on the morning of June 15 after falling from the 21st floor of a hotel in Pattaya, Chon Buri province.

According to investigators, the man had checked in alone and CCTV footage showed him in the lobby shortly before the incident, asking about a convenience store before returning to his room. No signs of robbery or struggle were found, and the cause of death is under investigation. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand is overhauling its electric vehicle (EV) policy framework to address growing challenges posed by production shortfalls, market oversupply, and intensifying price competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. The revisions affect both the existing EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 subsidy schemes and come amid scrutiny over major subsidy recipients such as Neta Auto Thailand.

Under EV 3.0, manufacturers receiving state subsidies for imported EVs are required to offset those imports with local production—1.5 units domestically per 1 imported unit in 2025, scaling up to a 3:1 ratio by 2027 under EV 3.5. Firms failing to meet these quotas are required to return subsidies.

One of the policy flashpoints is Neta Auto Thailand, which has so far produced only 4,000 of the 19,000 EVs it is obligated to manufacture in 2025. Although the government has already disbursed THB 2 billion (USD 60 million) in subsidies to Neta, an additional THB 400 million (USD 12 million) has been withheld by the Excise Department due to non-compliance. This has prompted the Ministry of Finance to propose rule changes, including a requirement for manufacturers to submit bimonthly production plans. If they fail to comply, the state may suspend future subsidies before year-end deadlines.

To ensure consumer protection, the government clarified that buyers who already purchased EVs under these programs will not be affected by subsidy enforcement actions.

Beyond individual enforcement, the broader EV policy is being reshaped to respond to structural risks. Aggressive pricing, slowing demand, and tactics like reclassifying unsold EVs as used have triggered a domestic price war and raised fears of destabilization within Thailand’s auto industry, which supports over 900,000 workers and more than 2,000 suppliers.

As a result, the Board of Investment (BoI) is revisiting compliance formulas. Under adjusted EV 3.5 terms, carmakers must meet production targets first before receiving any subsidies for new imports. However, unsold vehicles imported under EV 3.0 may now be exported without penalty, easing inventory burdens.

Between 2022 and 2024, EV registrations in Thailand surged from 84,500 to 206,000, alongside THB 280 billion (USD 8.1 billion) in investment applications for EV and parts manufacturing. But with the threat of oversupply and market volatility, officials now seek a balance between long-term industrial development and short-term financial prudence.

The National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee is expected to formalize the revised framework in the coming months. [Bangkok Post] [Bangkok Post 2]

Thailand has fallen five places to 30th in the 2025 World Competitiveness Ranking released by Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development (IMD), with a sharp decline in government efficiency cited as a key factor behind the drop.

While Thailand’s economic performance and business efficiency improved—rising to 8th and 24th place respectively—its government efficiency fell by eight positions to 32nd, and infrastructure dropped four places to 47th. The IMD ranking, which evaluates 69 economies based on statistical indicators and executive opinion surveys, assesses overall competitiveness by measuring public governance, quality of life, and business performance.

Within Southeast Asia, Singapore retained its regional lead and climbed to 2nd globally, praised for its balanced and future-oriented economic fundamentals. Malaysia saw the region’s largest gain, jumping 11 spots to 23rd. In contrast, Indonesia dropped 13 positions to 40th, marking the steepest fall in ASEAN, while the Philippines ranked 51st. Thailand’s performance reflects persistent concerns over institutional effectiveness despite relative economic resilience. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry has achieved top ranking in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Bangkok now ranked seventh globally among international meeting cities. According to the International Congress and Convention Association’s 2024 GlobeWatch Business Analytics report, unveiled at IMEX Frankfurt 2025, Thailand hosted 158 international meetings in 2024, up from 143 the year before.

This performance elevated Thailand to 25th place globally, and fifth in the Asia-Pacific region. Bangkok alone hosted 115 of those meetings, rising from 15th to 7th place globally, while ranking third in Asia-Pacific and second in ASEAN. Government officials have credited the rise to strategic support for the MICE sector and its growing role in Thailand’s post-pandemic economic recovery. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand’s stock market continues to face mounting pressure, with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closing at 1,114.49 on June 16—marking a fifth consecutive weekly decline. Analysts warn the index could fall further to around 1,050 points, reflecting fragile sentiment due to sustained economic weakness, Cabinet reshuffle uncertainty, and global geopolitical tensions. [The Nation] 

A drop to 1,050 points would mark the lowest level since the COVID-19 market shock in 2020 and signal a further loss of investor confidence. The SET Index, Thailand’s main stock market benchmark, typically ranges between 1,200 and 1,700 in more stable periods. A decline to 1,050 would not represent a crash, but it would underscore persistent risk aversion and concern over Thailand’s economic trajectory. 

Sector-specific drags—particularly in tourism, hospital services, and airport operations—have compounded pressure. Although a fall below 1,000 points is considered unlikely, short-term volatility is expected to persist. 

Reflecting this weaker outlook, Krungsri Research—the research arm of Bank of Ayudhya—has cut its year-end forecast for the SET Index from 1,660 to 1,418, citing lackluster corporate earnings and global trade risks. However, it maintains a cautiously optimistic view for the Thai economy, forecasting 2.7 percent growth in 2025, supported by debt restructuring programs, infrastructure investment, and Thailand’s growing role as a regional data center hub. 

Upside potential is also seen in proposed entertainment complex legislation and the Southern Economic Corridor initiative. Tourism-related and deep-value stocks may offer recovery opportunities in the medium term, especially if interest rates fall and reforms advance. [Bangkok Post] 

Thailand’s state-run airport operator, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AoT), is under mounting pressure following a formal request from King Power Duty Free, the country’s dominant duty-free retailer, to terminate concession contracts at five international airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai. The request, submitted in May 2025, stems from sustained financial losses and has triggered a major selloff in the operator’s stock. [Bangkok Post]

The duty-free contract, originally signed in 2019 for over a decade, was amended twice—most recently to end in 2026—but King Power now argues that the current economic environment makes it impossible to meet even revised obligations. The company cited post-pandemic demand uncertainty, a sharp decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, loss of inbound duty-free space, and global geopolitical disruptions as key drivers. King Power also claims that prior amendments favored the airport operator and lacked proper consultation.

Chinese visitors, historically the largest spenders in Thai airports, dropped by 30 percent in the first four months of 2025. Overall foreign tourist arrivals in May declined 13 percent year-on-year, prompting authorities to reconsider the 2025 target of 37.5 million visitors. A high-profile kidnapping incident earlier this year involving a Chinese celebrity amplified safety concerns and intensified the downturn in arrivals from China. [Bangkok Post]

In response, the airport agency is forming a review committee to evaluate options within a 45-day window. Although full termination is seen as unlikely by market analysts, King Power is pressing for a restructuring of its financial commitments—especially minimum revenue guarantees—which it says are no longer aligned with actual income levels despite post-COVID adjustments.

The stock market reaction has been severe. The airport operator’s shares have fallen by over 50 percent since January, erasing approximately THB 460 billion (USD 13.3 billion) in market capitalization. This makes it the worst-performing listed airport company globally in 2025 and the largest decliner on the MSCI Asia Pacific Index. King Power’s duty-free contracts contribute around 17 percent of the airport operator’s total revenue. [Bangkok Post]

Brokerages including Maybank have downgraded the firm’s earnings forecasts, citing weakened concession revenue and sluggish recovery in international passenger volumes. Projected profits for fiscal 2025 have been revised down by 3 percent, with a 22 percent cut for fiscal 2026. The state-owned company is also grappling with a leadership gap following the CEO’s resignation in April.

Thailand has designated three traditional medicinal plants—phlai (a relative of galangal), black ginger, and kratom—as the herbs of the year for 2025, aiming to boost their use in healthcare, wellness, and export sectors.

The campaign, approved by the National Herbal Medicines Policy Committee, will see phlai promoted in the spa and sports therapy sectors, with projected annual revenue of THB 305 million (USD 9.15 million). Black ginger will be positioned for use in sports nutrition and anti-aging treatments, with an estimated combined value of THB 324 million (USD 9.72 million) per year.

The government will also support 33 research projects on kratom, exploring its use in pain management and drug rehabilitation. These efforts are expected to generate THB 900 million (USD 27 million) annually and increase export potential.

The announcement precedes the 22nd National Herbs Fair, to be held July 2–6, where the campaign “Think Wellness, Think Thai Herb” will be launched to promote Thai herbal medicine and traditional massage internationally. Thailand’s herbal sector generated THB 58 billion (USD 1.74 billion) in 2023, with ambitions for further international expansion. [Bangkok Post]

Thailand will submit a formal trade proposal to the United States this week in an effort to avert a steep increase in tariffs, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced on June 17. The move comes ahead of a July 9 deadline, after which U.S. tariffs on Thai imports could jump from 10 percent to 36 percent if no new agreement is reached.

Initial discussions will take place online at the technical level, with in-person meetings to follow if needed. According to the finance minister, the new submission will align with key elements of a prior proposal presented last month. That earlier offer reportedly focused on addressing the U.S.–Thailand trade imbalance by expanding market access for U.S. exports, curbing transshipment risks, and promoting Thai investments in the U.S. aimed at job creation.

Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan expressed optimism this week that both sides could settle on favorable terms—potentially maintaining tariffs at 10 percent. The United States remains Thailand’s largest export market, accounting for 18.3 percent of Thai exports valued at USD 55 billion in 2024, while the U.S. has reported a USD 45.6 billion trade deficit with Thailand. [Bangkok Post]

PTT Global Chemical (GC), Thailand’s largest petrochemical producer, has unveiled a new catalyst recycling technology developed in partnership with Right Reactivation, marking the first time a Thai firm can manage this type of industrial hazardous waste domestically without relying on overseas processing.

Catalysts, essential in petrochemical and refinery operations, degrade over time and become spent—often treated as waste. However, they contain valuable metals such as palladium, platinum, and silver, which can be recovered and reused. Until now, Thailand has exported spent catalysts abroad, incurring high costs and forfeiting domestic value creation.

The new technology enables the extraction of precious metals from spent catalysts, aligning with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model, which promotes sustainable industrial innovation. According to GC, the recovered metals—used in everything from jewelry and electronics to catalyst regeneration—represent an annual market value of THB 10 billion (USD 300 million), with potential growth as industrial usage expands.

Right Reactivation currently processes 200 tons of spent catalyst annually, with plans to raise that capacity to 500 tons by 2027. [Bangkok Post]