Current Position :

Due to rapidly economic expansion under the free market mechanism, the government set out the new competitive conduct rule as the Trade Competition Act of 1999, hereinafter "the Act" that has been enforced since April 1999. The Act presents a framework for promoting free and fair trade and preventing unfair trade practices with competitive environment. This based on the view that competitive market is the best way to encourage economic efficiency and maximizes economic welfare. Eventually, consumers benefit through more efficient pricing and increased choice in the products and services offered.

The Act is administrated by the Trade Competition Commission, hereinafter "TCC". The office of the Trade Competition Commission is located in the Department of Internal Trade, hereinafter "the DIT". They are charged with enforcing the Act to protect and promote free and fair competition.

Action Plan:

1. The government will continue to encourage the Act and relevant regulations emphasizing transparency, justification, accountability, non discrimination, and comprehensive.
2. Within the established framework, the government will continue to develop the Act and inter-alia to amend where necessary in order that the Act shall be flexible enough for appropriate implementation related to the continually changing Thai economic climate.
3. The DIT will continually more publicize information on the Act in order that the business operators will more deepened understanding and acknowledge the benefit of the Act. In this respect, the DIT wishes that most business operators will comply the Act without enforcement.
4. The DIT will maintain high level of international cooperation as other economies requested in term of competition issues.
5. The DIT will maintain high level of participation for any activity related to competition issues.
6. The DIT will continue to encourage the development of meeting training or seminar programs that will allow to APEC member economies deepened understanding on competition policy and law.
7. The DIT seeks technical assistance from other economies or international organizations with more advanced implementation of competition policy and law.
8. If the DIT has solid capable implementation of the Act, the DIT will provide technical assistance to other economies in developing competition policy and law, where appropriate.