THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 27 February 2025
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Senate Steps Up to Tame Foreign Dominance in Thai E-Commerce
Picture courtesy of Wiki Finance The Senate committee is draughting the Platform Economy Act, planning to tackle the overwhelming presence of foreign entities in Thailand's bustling e-commerce sector. Eakachai Ruangrat, the committee's first vice-chairperson, emphasised the necessity of reclaiming Thailand's digital sovereignty amid the surge of overseas products, particularly from China. Local brands are reportedly struggling against the influx of foreign goods that often evade taxation and standards. Thailand's e-marketplace, valued at a whopping 1.8 trillion baht, is predominantly populated with international merchandise, raising concerns over the impact on domestic trade. The Senate's proposal includes mandatory registration and distinct financial reporting for businesses operating offline and online, extending to foreign companies selling through the internet. This measure is to ensure accountability and fair play, aiming to curb unfair advantages possessed by foreign competitors. Eakachai suggested revisiting tax frameworks to better support local businesses, proposing income tax exemptions for SMEs utilising Thai platforms and different value-added tax rates for products sold offline (7%) versus online (15%). He also recommended setting a minimum quota, where at least 20% of all goods sold on e-commerce platforms should be domestically produced, to boost local production. Pawoot Pongvitayapanu from the Thai E-Commerce Association highlighted the dependency on foreign e-marketplaces, noting that over 100 million Chinese items were available in 2024 on these platforms. He warned against over-reliance on these foreign giants, suggesting policy changes or shutdowns could heavily impact local traders. Pawoot also filed a complaint with the Trade Competition Commission, accusing dominant foreign e-marketplaces of violating competition laws and obstructing local businesses. Advocating for a national e-marketplace, Pawoot envisions a digital infrastructure that serves all parties equally. Meanwhile, Theeratat Nudum from La Glace Cosmetics spotlighted the threats posed by Chinese brands. These brands exploit their vast resources and online expertise, utilising Thai influencers to deepen their infiltration into the Southeast Asian markets, thereby overshadowing local players. The committee's draft and recommendations might herald a significant shift in the Thai e-commerce landscape, offering a lifeline to local sellers overwhelmed by foreign dominance. As the discussion progresses, it remains crucial for the act to align with both consumer needs and business interests in the rapidly evolving digital trade arena. Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-19 -
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Thailand Implements Financial Requirements for Tourist Visas in 2025
Is Thailand trying to make tourists not visit? The hotel requirement is obscene. Passport photo, what a pain in my ask. The financial requirement is a joke....equal to USD 550. Really. -
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Crime British Teen Thought as Missing in Thailand Found Arrested in Georgia
She probably watched that Locked up Abroad episode where the lady was saved by being knocked up. She probably reached for the closest dick that she could find. -
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Trump Mocks France Over WWII Commemorations, Urges Greater U.S. Recognition
I think that is a rather narrow view of the motivations that Canadians felt at the outbreak of WWII. I grew up in a very rural part of Canada surrounded by a real melting pot of English, Irish, Scottish, Polish, Hungarian, Dutch, Danish, Czech, Ukrainian etc farmers. Most of those were second generation immigrants with some first or later generations as well. Being born in '53, of course I never discussed WWII with them but I knew later generations as being very family oriented and still maintaining ties to their 'mother' countries. -
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Trump on Supreme Court: They should do what I want
*fair Quite probably true - one suspects it's much more difficult to rape when you're drunk.- 1
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Transport Pattaya Looking to Launch Thailand’s First Pneumatic Monorail in Smart City Transformation
Is it going to be as state-of-the-art as the marina in Bali Hai? One thing is for sure and that is that there will be massive traffic problems for years in that area, remember the Pattaya Klang-Sukhumvit under pass.
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