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

January 9, 2026

Thailand’s Tech Industry Outlook for 2026

Subscribe to Updates

Thailand continues to advance its legal and regulatory framework for the technology sector, with several key laws undergoing review and proposed amendments. These developments reflect Thailand’s broader efforts to ensure that its regulatory landscape keeps pace with rapid technological change and aligns more closely with international standards and best practices.

The following are key legal developments and proposed legislative reforms in 2026 that are expected to impact businesses operating in the technology sector and the broader Thai business landscape.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019)

Following the full enforcement of Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in June 2022, businesses and practitioners have identified practical implementation challenges and interpretative issues. These challenges were reflected in an effectiveness assessment conducted by the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) in late 2024. The PDPC published a set of principles for public consultation to identify issues and directions for potential amendments to the PDPA.

  • Key issues: Emerging issues include clarifying the definitions of “data controller,” “data processor,” and “criminal record”; revisiting the scope of sensitive personal data to better reflect Thailand’s context; proposing amendments to the hierarchy of legal bases to avoid misconceptions of consent as the default legal basis; and clarifying the required level of expressiveness for explicit consent, as well as rules for collecting personal data from other sources.
  • Current status: The first round of public consultation has concluded.
  • Next steps: The proposed amendments are proceeding to a revised draft following the consultation outcomes.

Cybersecurity Act B.E. 2562 (2019)

Thailand is moving forward with proposed amendments to enhance the effectiveness of its national cybersecurity framework, as evolving digital technologies bring new risks such as misinformation, system intrusions, and attacks on critical infrastructure, making cybersecurity a national priority.

  • Key issues: The amendments aim to clarify and strengthen the roles and duties of private entities, particularly critical information infrastructure (CII) operators, in preventing, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats. Key highlights include broadening the meaning of “cyber threat” from a narrow technical focus to a holistic assessment of potential national and public impacts; introducing defined terms such as “cyber threat incident,” “computer data,” and “computer system”; strengthening risk management and incident response by CII operators; and expanding the scope of CII organizations to include public and private entities related to industrial work.
  • Current status: The third round of public consultation has concluded.
  • Next steps: The draft amendments are being revised following the consultation outcomes.

Child Online Safety

Penal Code Amendments

Recent Penal Code amendments, effective December 30, 2025, introduced provisions on sexual harassment and revised provisions on sexual assault. Offenses under these provisions that take place through online channels may result in a court order requiring the removal of the relevant content within a prescribed period, with penalties imposed for failure to comply with such a court order. Thailand is proposing further amendments to address technology-related crimes and online platform-facilitated crimes against minors, including child grooming and sexting.

  • Key issues: The proposals introduce new offenses covering online grooming, transmission of sexually explicit content to minors, and sexual extortion, alongside stricter penalties and extended extraterritorial jurisdiction, reflecting a strengthened focus on child protection in the digital environment.
  • Current status: The first round of public consultation has concluded.
  • Next steps: The Office of the Council of State will consider the draft at the third reading in January 2026.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Regulatory Framework

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has continued its efforts to develop an AI regulatory framework by opening a public hearing on draft principles for future AI legislation.

  • Key issues: The proposed principles focus on a risk-based approach to AI development and deployment while supporting innovation through measures such as data reuse and sandbox mechanisms. (See more details here.)
  • Next steps: The initiative currently remains at the drafting stage, and a further public hearing on a provision-by-provision draft is expected in 2026.

Fintech

Payment Systems Act B.E. 2560 (2017)

Thailand’s payments landscape continues to be shaped by the Payment Systems Act and an active supervisory agenda from the Bank of Thailand (BOT) focused on fraud risk, interoperability, and digital-first service models.

  • Key issues: The BOT’s Guidelines for Digital Fraud Management took effect on December 17, 2025, and impose end-to-end fraud controls across prevention, monitoring, detection, and remediation for financial institutions and operators of inter-institutional fund transfer systems, e-money, and e-fund transfer services under the Payment Systems Act.

Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses B.E. 2561 (2018)

Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released relaxed digital asset regulations that pave the way for tokenization of carbon credit and renewable energy assets, expanding financing and trading options in the environmental sector.

  • Key issues: The amended regulations permit the offering, trading, and provision of other services related to tokenized carbon credits, tokenized renewable energy certificates (RECs), and tokenized carbon allowances through licensed digital asset exchanges, brokers, and dealers. This regulatory development is aimed at facilitating the green economy and the country’s net-zero goal, while increasing the diversity of products in the regulated digital assets market.

Digital Platforms

Royal Decree on the Operation of Digital Platform Service Businesses That Are Subject to Prior Notification B.E. 2565 (2022)

Thailand’s platform governance entered a more prescriptive phase in 2025-2026 as regulators moved from system registration to targeted oversight of higher-risk platform categories. In parallel, Thailand is developing a primary law, the draft Platform Economy Act (PEA), which, if enacted, is expected to supersede the royal decree and consolidate user-protection and competition tools for the platform economy.

  • Key issues: During 2025, the regulator designated online marketplaces with particular risk characteristics under section 18(2) of the royal decree and imposed additional duties focused on merchant traceability and accountability and compliance with goods standards and takedown mechanisms. With respect to the draft PEA, the principles remain under development at the Council of State, with further drafting and a subsequent hearing expected. Latest policy signals continue to envisage adoption of an EU Digital Services Act–inspired regime, with the royal decree expected to be repealed upon commencement and transitional oversight mechanisms to apply.
  • Next steps: Operators should maintain compliance with the royal decree while monitoring developments in new or amended applicable regulations, as well as the PEA’s trajectory.

Telecommunications

Foreign Satellite Operators Draft Notification

Proposed by the National Space Policy Committee (NSPC) for public consultation on August 20, 2025, with the comment period concluding on September 3, 2025, this draft aims to replace the existing notification issued in 2021 to better align with current national policies on foreign satellite usage.

  • Key issues: The draft notification permits both Thai and foreign satellite operators to use foreign satellites to operate a business providing satellite communication services within Thailand. The consideration for granting permission takes into account technical justifications, economic benefits, social benefits, and national security considerations.
  • Next steps: The draft amendments are being revised following the public consultation outcomes.

Gaming

Draft Gaming Industry Promotion Act

The draft was initially proposed by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) under the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) by opening a public hearing on draft principles for a future Gaming Act.

  • Key issues: The draft law aims to support the growth of Thailand’s online gaming sector while safeguarding youth and society. The draft law introduces registration requirements for developers and platforms (potentially including offshore entities), which may include a rating system. It is also expected to apply to all types of games, with particular focus on games that incorporate gambling-like features, such as lucky draw mechanisms or point-accumulation and reward-redemption systems. This reflects the Thai government’s position of combating online gambling and online scam activities.
  • Next steps: The initiative currently remains at the drafting stage, and DEPA has recently announced that it will proceed with proposing the Draft Act to the MDES for consideration and subsequent submission to the Cabinet. Further public hearing is expected within 2026.

Looking Ahead

Thailand’s technology regulatory landscape continues to develop through a combination of new legislation, subordinate regulations, regulatory guidance, and evolving enforcement priorities. Technology sector businesses should actively monitor these developments and begin preparing for possible compliance adjustments. In particular, companies should review their data governance frameworks, cybersecurity readiness, platform governance structures, and AI risk management practices to ensure they are well positioned as Thailand’s technology regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

We will continue to monitor these developments closely and provide quarterly updates to keep you informed of any significant changes or new regulatory measures impacting Thailand’s technology sector.

Related Professionals

Industries

Fintech

Technology

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

April 3, 2026
Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has established a comprehensive governance framework for the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in the capital markets. The framework provides guidance to capital market business operators on understanding the risks associated with AI/ML implementation and adopting appropriate practices to build public confidence in Thailand’s capital markets. While the guidelines are principle-based rather than prescriptive, they reflect the SEC’s expectations for responsible AI/ML governance and are likely to inform supervisory activities and industry standards going forward. Scope The framework applies to capital market business operators supervised by the SEC. This includes, for example, securities and derivatives firms, asset management companies, mutual fund and private fund managers, investment advisors and investment consultants (including robo-advisory service providers), derivatives intermediaries, and other licensed intermediaries and market operators in the Thai capital markets that deploy AI/ML in their operations. Core Principles of the Guidelines The framework is presented as a best-practice manual rather than prescriptive regulation, providing guidance that regulated entities may apply to their AI/ML governance and risk management as appropriate. While currently nonbinding, the guidelines signal the SEC’s expectations for the sector, particularly in relation to other binding SEC regulations such as those covering IT risk management and market conduct. The guidelines name four core principles for AI/ML deployment: Fairness: Design and develop AI/ML with consideration for fairness, equality, and social diversity to prevent discrimination against individuals or groups. Legal and ethical compliance: Ensure AI/ML use aligns with applicable laws, ethical standards, and organizational values and policies. Accountability: Establish clear responsibility—both internally and externally—for AI/ML activities and outcomes. Transparency: Provide adequate disclosure to users about AI/ML use, including explainability of decisions and traceability of activities. AI/ML Best Practices The guidelines prescribe best practices across four stages of the AI/ML lifecycle, as described below.
Read More
April 2, 2026
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) enforcement has entered a new phase, and the insurance industry is squarely in the regulatory spotlight. The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) considers insurers “large-scale” processors of sensitive data—including health records, financial information, and biometric data—making the sector a focal point for enforcement action. In August 2025 alone, the PDPC issued administrative fines totaling THB 21.5 million, and fines for individual violations have ranged from THB 50,000 to THB 2 million. The PDPC has also deployed its “Eagle Eye Crawler,” an AI-driven surveillance tool that monitors websites around the clock for data leaks and noncompliant privacy notices. This article highlights the key regulatory developments directly affecting insurers and outlines practical steps toward compliance. What Has Changed: OIC and PDPC Alignment The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) has synchronized its sector-specific rules with the PDPA through the Notification on Customer Personal Data Protection (No. 2) B.E. 2568 (2025). The combined effect of the PDPC’s general enforcement push and the OIC’s sectoral guidance creates four critical compliance areas for insurers. Consent unbundling. Consent for marketing must be strictly separated from the core insurance contract; bundling marketing consent into the policy application is no longer permissible. Agent and intermediary oversight. Insurance intermediaries are generally classified as data processors, meaning that insurers—as data controllers—must provide specific written instructions and security protocols to all agents and brokers. A 2026 enforcement trend shows controllers being held liable for the “weak security” of their vendors and downstream processors. Enhanced privacy notices. Insurers must provide a summary privacy notice alongside the full policy, plainly stating categories of data, purposes, lawful bases, disclosure recipients, cross-border transfers, retention periods, data subject rights, and easy marketing opt-out channels. DPO registration and ROPA. All organizations involved in “regular or systematic monitoring of data subjects on
Read More
March 30, 2026
On March 24, 2026, the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) published its long-anticipated Guidelines on Multi-Sided Platforms and E-Commerce Businesses in the Government Gazette, following the conclusion of a public hearing conducted last year. The guidelines entered into force on March 25, 2026, and significantly expand the application of Thai competition law to digital platform ecosystems. These rules introduce targeted restrictions on platform conduct, such as price-ranking algorithms and tying and bunding, that leverages network effects, and will have far-reaching implications across Thailand’s digital economy—affecting not only platform operators but also platform participants, including sellers, logistics providers, advertisers, and payment service providers operating on or alongside such platforms. The guidelines clarify how existing prohibitions under the Trade Competition Act B.E. 2560 (2017) (TCA)—including abuse of market dominance, cartel conduct, and unfair trade practices—apply in the context of platform-based business models. While many provisions reflect earlier draft guidelines, the final version delivers more precise definitions and clearer enforcement parameters, increasing regulatory certainty while also raising compliance expectations. Applicability The guidelines introduce core definitions that determine their coverage: Multi-sided platform: A platform that acts as an intermediary connecting two or more groups of users, enabling them to have direct interaction in order to exchange or rely on services from one another. Examples include digital platforms for trading goods or services (e-commerce), as defined below. Digital platform for trading goods or services (e-commerce): A platform that acts as an intermediary connecting the distribution, purchase, sale, or exchange of goods or services. This includes operations carried out to facilitate transactions or interactions between business operators through an electronic transaction system, regardless of whether a service fee is charged. Operator of a digital platform business for trading goods or services: A provider of digital platform services for trading goods or services, as described
Read More
March 27, 2026
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has publicly indicated that it is preparing a new regulatory framework for data center operators that may introduce foreign-ownership restrictions. In particular, the NBTC is considering reclassifying data center operations from a type 1 telecommunications business license to a type 3 license. If implemented, this change would subject data center operators to a significantly more stringent regulatory regime, especially in relation to foreign ownership and control. The NBTC has indicated that it intends to propose a draft framework to the NBTC board. This would be followed by a public hearing process, with a view to implementing the new rules within 2026. Under the Telecommunications Business Act B.E. 2544 (2001), as amended, telecommunications businesses operating under type 3 licenses are subject to foreign ownership restrictions, including a requirement that less than 50% of the total issued shares be held by foreign shareholders. In addition, type 3 licensees are subject to foreign dominance restrictions, which prohibit arrangements that allow foreigners to dominate the business. These foreign dominance restrictions are broad in scope and may capture various forms of direct and indirect control or influence. This includes circumstances in which a foreign national is able to influence or control the formulation of policy, management, or business operations, or the appointment of directors or senior executives. At this stage, the exact scope of the proposed rules remains unclear. Businesses with existing or planned data center operations in Thailand should therefore monitor upcoming NBTC developments in this regard and prepare for the expected public hearing process.
Read More