Significant Changes In Store Under New Trade Competition Act

Trade competition in Thailand has been regulated under the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2542 (1999) (the "Current Act"), which has remained unchanged for almost twenty years.  On 7 July 2017, a new trade competition act, known as the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 (2017) (the "New Act"), was enacted and will replace the Current Act on 5 October 2017.

Exempt Entities

State-owned enterprises, which are currently exempted under the Current Act, will now be subject to regulation under the New Act.  However, the following entities and government organizations will continue to be exempt:

• central, provincial or local government agencies;
• state enterprises, public organizations and other state agencies whose purpose is to maintain state security, support public or common interests, or provide public utilities;