BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved a set of measures proposed by the Ministry of Commerce to combat the sale of illegal foreign goods and help Thai businesses compete against low-cost imports, particularly from China. These changes include stricter enforcement at customs checkpoints, enhanced online inspections, and regulatory changes requiring foreign e-commerce businesses to register as legal entities in Thailand and comply with local standards.
Tax reforms are also underway, requiring foreign e-commerce platforms selling goods in Thailand to register for value-added tax (VAT). Local businesses will receive training on anti-dumping and safeguard measures to better handle increased imports. The government is focusing on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by promoting the use of technology and innovation to enhance their global competitiveness.
Thailand also plans to strengthen cooperation with key trade partners such as China, Japan, and South Korea. The objective is to promote Thai products on international e-commerce platforms and position the country as a regional hub for e-commerce distribution.
The Cabinet has also postponed the creation of a special task force to address illegal goods sales, leaving the new administration to oversee the initiative. Relevant agencies have been instructed to implement the measures immediately and report progress weekly.
These actions follow the Ministry of Finance’s earlier announcement of a VAT collection scheme for imported goods under 1,500 baht, set to take effect in July 2024, creating fairer competition between foreign and domestic sellers. (NNT)
