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 27, 2022

Thailand Issues Royal Decree on Digital Platforms

Subscribe to Updates

Thailand has issued the Royal Decree on Digital Platforms, which was published in the Government Gazette on December 22, 2022. The royal decree provides a grace period of 240 days from its publication for digital platform providers to take the actions necessary to ensure compliance. The key requirements are outlined below.

Definitions

After going through various amendments in its draft stages, the published royal decree’s definition of “digital platform” refers to the provision of an electronic intermediary platform that manages information to create connections between “merchants,” “consumers,” and “users” via a computer network in order to create electronic transactions—regardless of whether payment is actually made. However, this does not include digital platforms that offer goods or services of the digital platform operator or an affiliated company acting as its representative, regardless of whether the goods or services are offered to third parties or to affiliated companies.

Notification Exemption

Under the royal decree, a digital platform provider under the supervision of other authorities, such as the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission, or falling under the Electronic Transactions Commission’s list of exempted digital platform providers is exempted from the requirement to notify the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) of the operation of its digital platform. The commission may also exempt any other digital platform service as it sees fit.

Extraterritorial Effect

Certain digital platforms located outside Thailand are subject to the royal decree and must appoint a coordinating person in Thailand. This requirement to appoint a local coordinator does not mean that overseas digital platforms have to establish their business in Thailand.

Digital Platform Certification Mark

The royal decree introduces an ETDA certification mark for digital platforms. Display of the mark appears not to be mandatory, but more specific rules, procedures, and other details will be prescribed at a later stage.

Data Sharing

The royal decree authorizes the ETDA to request or collect information in relation to a digital platform from other state agencies, pursuant to the law or contractual terms.

Digital Platform Providers’ Obligations

The royal decree obligates certain types of digital platform providers (to be announced later by the ETDA) to notify their platform users of necessary information prior to or at the time of service, or upon any amendment to the information (such as altered terms and conditions), which may include the following:

  • Conditions for provision, suspension, or cessation of service (including clear and fair fees, remuneration, and expenses);
  • Criteria used to rank, recommend, or advertise goods or services;
  • Satisfaction ratings and feedback from users;
  • Access and usage of data shared with business operators on the digital platform;
  • Inquiries, complaints, dispute settlement, and timeframe for dispute settlement;
  • Responses to unlawful or sensitive content (including content rating practices); and
  • Any other matters as deemed appropriate.

For more details about the royal decree’s regulatory requirements, please contact Nop Chitranukroh at [email protected], Gvavalin Mahakunkitchareon at [email protected], or Thammapas Chanpanich at [email protected].

Related Professionals

Industries

Technology

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

January 8, 2026
Thailand’s Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) has proposed new standards that would require government agencies to select cloud services exclusively from a preapproved shortlist of providers. The draft Digital Government Standards re: Cloud Service Provider Standards aims to strengthen procurement confidence and reduce risks associated with selecting cloud service providers that do not meet the required standards. A public hearing period on these standards concluded on December 27, 2025. The DGA will now review submitted comments and consider revising the standards accordingly. Shortlisted Cloud Service Provider Tiers The draft standards establish three tiers of cloud service providers based on their assessed service capability levels, core qualifications, and certifications. The DGA sets qualification requirements for each tier, and it is at the discretion of each agency to select the tier of cloud service provider that best suits its operational needs, as follows: Tier 1 cloud service providers are suitable for providing services involving disclosable official data. Tier 2 cloud service providers are suitable for handling official data and protected data, such as personal data, which requires a high-security public cloud (e.g., virtual private cloud). Tier 3 cloud service providers are suitable for providing services to agencies with specific regulatory and security requirements that handle highly protected data, such as the national security system. These providers must offer sovereign or hybrid cloud as stipulated by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. All tiers of cloud service providers must be legal entities incorporated under Thai law and can be authorized distributors of offshore cloud service providers. However, each tier will be subject to different requirements, including infrastructure obligations. Government agencies are encouraged to select a cloud service provider appropriate for their intended use. For example, if a government agency intends to procure cloud services for operating applications that process personal data,
Read More
January 8, 2026
Thailand has enacted comprehensive sexual harassment legislation that significantly expands criminal penalties and creates new compliance obligations for online platform operators. The Act Amending the Penal Code (No. 30) B.E. 2568 (2025), enacted on December 29, 2025, and taking effect the following day, introduces a comprehensive definition of sexual harassment, establishes new criminal offenses with graduated penalties, and imposes content removal obligations on social media platforms and computer system service providers. The amendment, which establishes a comprehensive framework for addressing sexual harassment in both physical and digital environments, significantly expands legal exposure for online service operators. It also grants courts authority to order takedowns of violating data accessible to the public. Definition of Sexual Harassment The law introduces “sexual harassment” as a distinct statutory concept covering physical conduct, verbal conduct, sounds, gestures, expressions, postures, communications, surveillance, stalking, and acts committed through computer systems or electronic devices. Conduct qualifies as sexual harassment when it is sexual in nature and likely to cause the victim distress, annoyance, embarrassment, humiliation, fear, or a sense of sexual insecurity. Criminal Offenses and Penalties The amended Penal Code establishes graduated penalties based on the severity and context of the harassment—including enhanced penalties for public or online conduct. For instance: Basic sexual harassment is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to THB 20,000, or both. Continuous or repeated harassment that prevents normal life escalates penalties to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to THB 40,000, or both. Critically for online operators, harassment committed in public places, in the presence of the public, or through computer systems accessible to the general public triggers imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to THB 60,000, or both. Acts of harassment committed by supervisors, employers, or others
Read More
January 6, 2026
On December 30, 2025, Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) notified digital marketplace operators of a consolidated list of “high‑risk products” that are subject to strict monitoring on digital platforms. The list was jointly prepared by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to guide platform compliance in the initial phase of implementation of the Electronic Transaction Committee’s Notification on Other Measures for Marketplace for Goods with Specific Characteristics under Section 18(2) of the 2022 Royal Decree on Digital Platform Businesses Requiring Notification B.E.2568 (2025). The notice is addressed to operators of digital platform services that function as product marketplaces with specific characteristics laid out in the notification. The ETDA states that the TISI and the FDA are closely monitoring the high‑risk product categories on digital platforms, and the published list serves as the baseline reference for platform screening during the initial phase of the notification’s implementation. High‑Risk Product List The list aggregates categories of products that are illegal to sell online or are otherwise tightly regulated under Thai law, with an emphasis on health-related products, controlled substances, medical devices, and a wide range of industrial products that require certification or compliance with specified Thai Industrial Standards, as detailed below. Prohibited and tightly controlled health products. This includes all categories of modern medicines subject to control other than general household remedies; all categories of controlled herbal products except for over-the-counter herbal products; narcotics; psychotropic substances; and medical devices requiring use in medical facilities or a physician’s prescription. Selected industrial products requiring heightened controls. The list highlights dozens of TISI-regulated items commonly sold online. Examples include pacifiers, rice cookers, electrical wire, food wrap film, crayons, washing machines and dryers, air conditioners, electric cookers and air fryers, water heaters, microwave ovens, LED luminaires, hair dryers
Read More
January 5, 2026
On December 31, 2025, the government of Vietnam promulgated Decree No. 356/2025/ND-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of the new Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) that was issued in June 2025. The new decree, like the PDPL, entered into force on January 1, 2026, with the previous Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection ceasing effect on the same day. Some key points of the new decree include the following: Comprehensive lists of basic and sensitive personal data are provided, which will require companies to review again their existing documents and data type classification to ensure compliance. New timelines are established for responding to specific data subject requests. These timelines are more reasonable and longer than the previous 72-hour requirements. Additional consent guidelines are provided, prohibiting default consent or ambiguous instructions that confuse data subjects about giving or withholding consent. Mandatory content for data transfer agreements/clauses in particular cases is provided. This covers, among other things, (i) the legal basis for the transfer of personal data; (ii) responsibilities for personal data protection during the transfer and processing of personal data; (iii) responsibilities for ensuring the exercise of the rights of personal data subjects; and (iv) responsibilities for coordination and compliance of the parties in cases where violations of personal data protection regulations are detected. The qualifications and responsibilities of data protection officers (DPOs) and data protection departments include, among others, having been trained and fostered in legal knowledge and professional skills regarding personal data protection. There are no specific provisions governing the qualifications or requirements for organizations that provide data protection training or education. New mandatory templates and requirements are provided in relation to data processing impact assessment and data transfer impact assessment, and for cases in which companies need to re-submit assessments to the regulator. Stricter requirements are
Read More