Thailand Updates Contract Controls On Vehicle Purchase Reservations

The Contract Committee of Thailand's Office of the Consumer Protection Board has issued a notification updating the stipulation that any sale of a new vehicle or motorcycle requiring an upfront deposit from the consumer for reservation purposes is now classified as a contract-controlled business. Titled "Requiring Reservation Agreements for New Vehicles and Motorcycles to be Contract-Controlled Businesses B.E. 2567," the notification takes effect on February 19, 2025, and supersedes the previous notification from 2008, which applied only to "vehicles" (excluding motorcycles).

Key changes and requirements introduced by the new notification include:

• Inclusion of electric vehicles and motorcycles. The notification now extends beyond traditional vehicles powered by combustion engines to include those powered by electricity. It also covers motorcycles powered by both combustion engines and electricity.