Senate panel preps e-commerce guidelines

Draft to address foreign dominance

- SUCHIT LEESA-NGUANSUK

A Senate committee plans to propose guidelines in its draft of the Platform Economy Act to address the dominance of foreign players in Thai e-commerce.

Eakachai Ruangrat, first vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on commerce and industry, said the move addresses the country's loss of digital sovereignty.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of a recent e-commerce seminar.

The e-marketplace in Thailand is valued at 1.8 trillion baht, with most of the products from overseas.

The country is also dealing with an influx of fake, non-standard and illegal imports from China competing with local brands without paying tax.

Mr Eakachai said the committee plans to propose to the Senate a bill that addresses all these concerns.

According to the committee, businesses operating both online and offline should be required to register as two separate entities and submit distinct financial reports for each.