Thailand Regulator Proposes Stricter Oversight of Digital Platform Fees to Protect SMEs

Key summary

The Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC) in Thailand is advancing a draft announcement to tighten oversight of fees charged by major digital platforms, specifically targeting ride-hailing and on-demand delivery services. The proposal requires dominant operators with significant market power to disclose fee structures and provide reasonable explanations for any changes, citing operating costs or technology investments as potential factors. The rules aim to balance the interests of platforms needing profits with businesses and service providers needing viability, focusing on entities with market shares between 10% and 33%, while those above 33% are considered dominant. A public consultation period runs from October 21 to November 20, following the draft's approval on October 19, with a scheduled return for consideration on November 23. The Trade Competition Commissioner, Worawan Chitarun, noted that approximately 90% of complaints from riders and restaurants concern GP fees, referencing eight rounds of fee increases identified between April and August 2026 involving platforms such as Grab, LINE MAN, and Bolt. Separate regulatory approaches are being developed for e-commerce marketplaces like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok under Section 60 of the Trade Competition Act 2017, where reported figures indicate Shopee increased GP-related charges 10 times between 2022 and 2026 with cumulative increases of 433%, while Lazada made seven increases totaling 367%. The final announcement is expected to be signed by December 4, with enforcement targeted by December 18 following publication in the Royal Gazette.