Artificial Intelligence is a leading technology that is advancing rapidly. Many industries are anticipated to benefit from AI assistance, which may also affect human workforce in certain industries in the near future. Currently, two draft legislations have been introduced in Thailand: (i) The Draft Royal Decree on Business Operations that Use Artificial Intelligence System; and (ii) The Draft Act on the Promotion and Support of AI Innovations in Thailand.
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand plans to focus on competition in the digital sector in 2024. The TCCT’s focus on the digital sector is consistent with recent efforts of competition regulators in other jurisdictions.
The Notification of the Personal Data Protection Committee re: Designation of a Data Protection Officer under Section 41 (2) of the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) B.E. 2566 (2023) (“PDPC Notification re: DPO Designation”) has been published in the Government Gazette on 14 September 2023. This notification will be effective from 13 December 2023. While most of the requirements under the PDPC Notification re: DPO Designation remain unchanged from its draft version, the published version specifies a minimum number of data subjects that would trigger the large-scale criteria and the data controller’s obligation to designate a data protection officer.
Biodiversity is included as Goals 14 and 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals, and its growing significance was emphasized during the special COP on biodiversity, COP15. Many jurisdictions, such as Australia, Japan and the EU, have adopted biodiversity laws to respond to the growing threat of species extinction, habitat loss and ecosystem loss. Thailand has also been working on the same subject, as was included in the most recent Prime Minister’s Statement on National Strategy, and the Ministry of Natural Resource and the Environment has been working on the draft Biodiversity Bill.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has recently released a new Notification on Measures to Protect the Rights of Telecommunications Service Users Related to Personal Data, Rights to Privacy, and Liberty to Communicate through Telecommunications (“Telecommunications Data Protection Notification”). This Telecommunications Data Protection Notification repealed and replaced the existing NTC (National Telecommunications Commission, now the NBTC) notification on data protection, which had been applicable to telecommunications business operators since 2006.
Following our previous newsletter, on 21 August 2023, the Royal Decree on the Operation of Digital Platforms, which are Subject to Prior Notification B.E. 2565, came into full effect. Existing business operators are required to comply with certain obligations.
The current legal framework for managing packaging and other household waste in Thailand has long been governed by various pieces of legislation, such as the Public Health Act, B.E. 2535 (1992) and the Act on the Maintenance of Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country, B.E. 2535 (1992). To provide equality and equity for all stakeholders with the ultimate goal of mitigating the environmental impact caused by packaging waste, and at the same time promoting a strong circular economy, the Draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act has been developed to establish systematic and sustainable management of packaging waste.
In 2022 and 2023, following the collapse of the key global players in the crypto industry, regulators around the world closely scrutinized crypto activities and tightened the regulations for digital asset businesses. This tightening primarily concerns the protection and segregation of customers’ assets, which has become standard practice since the crypto crash. To keep up with the dynamic and evolving regulatory developments, we have revised this publication to provide an updated overview of regulations pertaining to digital assets in Thailand.
Asia Pacific tax authorities are actively seeking to reduce tax leakages, non-compliance, and what they perceive to be tax avoidance activities. To help you position your business for success in an era of ever-changing tax rules and intense scrutiny, our subject matter experts from across the region and globally will come together to examine key developments. We will discuss the impact of emerging trends and current issues on your business models and strategies, sharing practical tips on how you can maximize opportunities to achieve the best risk mitigation outcomes.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Prescribe Types of Cosmetics, Criteria, Methods and Conditions for Refill Stations, B.E. 2566 (2023) and the Cosmetic Committee Announcement Re: Labeling of Cosmetic at Refill Stations, B.E. 2566 (2023). Both notifications were published in the Government Gazette on 23 August 2023 and will become effective on 21 November 2023. These notifications are intended to be in line with the global Bio-Circular-Green Economy trend, which seeks to reduce plastic waste and promote the recycling of plastic.