You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

December 26, 2025

Thailand Extends Compliance Deadline for Ride-Sharing Platforms

Subscribe to Updates

Thailand has granted ride-sharing platforms additional time to comply with new regulatory requirements, extending the compliance deadline to March 31, 2026 (replacing the previous deadline of October 2, 2025). The postponement was made official on December 18, 2025, when Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) published the second Notification Regarding Supervision of Ride-Hailing Platforms Classified as High-Impact Digital Platform Services under the Royal Decree on Digital Platform Service Businesses.

The notification provides additional time for ride-sharing platforms and drivers to transition to full regulatory compliance. The extension replaces the effective date provision of the earlier notification and applies specifically to ride-hailing activities.

Background

The postponement responds to feedback from operators and driver groups regarding challenges converting private vehicles into legally registered public vehicles, including complex registration procedures, high compliance costs, and operational delays. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is concurrently reforming its vehicle registration and driver verification processes to streamline operations. Given these issues, the Electronic Transactions Committee has deferred enforcement to provide an adjustment period for operators and drivers to meet compliance requirements.

Ongoing Obligations

While the effective date has been deferred, the substantive obligations imposed on ride-sharing platforms remain fully intact. Operators must continue preparing to comply with the additional duties applicable to high-impact digital platform services, beyond the general requirements under the digital platform services framework.

Operators are expected to use the extended transition period to finalize operational and compliance readiness ahead of enforcement on March 31, 2026. Key focus areas include:

  • Integration with DLT vehicle-registration systems
  • Deployment of robust driver and passenger identity verification mechanisms
  • Updates to platform terms of service, driver-onboarding standards, and internal operational policies
  • Preparation for ETDA reporting obligations and future audit and review processes

Next Steps

While the postponement replaces the previous effective date with the new March 31, 2026, deadline, operators should anticipate increased regulatory scrutiny as the revised effective date approaches and proactively align their operations with the strengthened regulatory framework.

Related Professionals

Industries

Automotive

Technology

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​

September 4, 2025
With advancements in health technology, telemedicine has taken on a wider online presence in Thailand. Under the Medical Facility Act, licensed clinics and hospitals may now diagnose, prescribe, and issue electronic prescriptions during a video call, provided they maintain patient confidentiality and proper recordkeeping. As a complementary concept, a telepharmacy allows a pharmacist to verify prescriptions, counsel patients, and dispense medication from a remote site. Hospitals, clinic chains, and some retail pharmacy groups have adopted “drive-thru” or “locker” pick-up points where drugs are bagged only after a real-time video consultation with a registered pharmacist. The clear benefits of telehealth include shorter waiting times and broader access to specialists, which is in the public interest. Drug Distribution and Advertising in Thailand The online pharmacy ecosystem creates a legal bridge in that once a teleconsulting doctor issues an e-prescription, a licensed pharmacy can lawfully dispense and deliver the medicine prescribed to the patient’s door. Nonetheless, the critical compliance component remains the advertising of medicinal drugs. It is still not allowed to advertise prescription/pharmacy-dispensed drugs to the public in Thailand. Although Thailand’s Drug Act of 1967 was written more than half a century ago, it still governs the trading of every medicinal drug that makes its way to consumers in Thailand—whether bought at a pharmacy or delivered with a few taps on a smartphone. First and foremost, the pharmacy must hold a license to sell medicinal drugs as a retailer. It is also mandatory that arrangements be made for a pharmacist to be on duty during opening hours. Drugs are classified into three main categories: prescription drugs, pharmacy-dispensed drugs, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The listing of OTC drugs with their prices via an online platform is allowed, as only OTC drugs may be advertised directly to the public. However, naming or showing
Read More
September 2, 2025
Thailand’s National Space Policy Committee (NSPC) has proposed new regulations that would permit foreign satellite operators to provide services within the country. The draft announcement responds to rapid advancements in digital and space technologies that have led to new global satellite operators expanding their services worldwide, including into Thailand. These include low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations offering high-speed internet, nonterrestrial network (NTN) technologies that integrate terrestrial and satellite communications, and direct-to-device (D2D) technologies that transmit signals directly from satellites to mobile devices without relying on terrestrial networks. The draft aims to replace the existing announcement, which was issued in 2021, to better align with current national policies on foreign satellite usage. The draft announcement was published for public consultation on August 20, 2025, with the comment period concluding on September 3, 2025. Applying for Authorization Two types of operators may apply for authorization: Thai operators who intend to use foreign satellites owned by World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries to provide satellite communication services to third parties; and Foreign operators of satellites owned by WTO member countries who intend to operate a business providing satellite communication services within Thailand. Applications for approval must be submitted to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) according to the NBTC’s established procedures. In considering whether to permit foreign satellites to provide services within Thailand, the relevant authority will take into account technical justifications, economic benefits, social benefits, and national security considerations. Determining Satellite Ownership The determination of which country qualifies as the owner of a satellite is based primarily on the country that holds the satellite network filing rights registered with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The satellite network filing includes details regarding frequency usage, orbital positions, and technical specifications of the satellite operations. It serves as a regulatory tool used by the
Read More
August 25, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and digital assets are considered critical drivers of Vietnam’s future economic growth and are fundamental to the nation’s digital transformation targets. These sectors form the core of Vietnam’s strategy to build a robust, globally competitive digital economy. This strategic direction gained substantial momentum with the issuance of the Law on Digital Technology Industry (DTI Law) on June 14, 2025. The DTI Law was designed to attract investment, stimulate innovation, cultivate high-quality human resources, and ensure the responsible, secure, and sustainable growth of digital technologies like AI and digital assets, harmonizing Vietnam’s digital industry with international standards while safeguarding public interests and national security. Several key provisions of the DTI Law took effect on July 1, 2025, and the law will become fully effective on January 1, 2026. The government is delegated to provide further necessary guidelines and details for implementation of the law. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Principle-Driven and Risk-Based Regulations Under the DTI Law, there are seven core principles guiding the development, provision, and use of AI which are applicable to AI developers, providers and deployers. These principles favor values-based governance over purely technical prescriptions, and include the following: Taking a human-centered approach that upholds ethical values, inclusivity, flexibility, equality, and non-discrimination. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and explainability, with AI systems remaining under human control. Maintaining cybersecurity and system safety. Adherence to data protection and privacy regulations. Having the ability to control AI algorithms and models. Effective risk management throughout the entire lifecycle of AI systems. Compliance with consumer protection laws and other relevant legal frameworks. AI system management follows a risk-based approach, with the law categorizing systems into high-risk, high-impact, and other groups. High-risk AI systems are those that, in certain applications, may pose significant threats or harm to individuals or the public interest while
Read More