Thai Retailers Seek Taxes on Foreign E-Commerce as 3.3 Million SMEs Face Cheap-Import Pressure
Updated
Updated · Nation Thailand · Aug 22
Thai Retailers Seek Taxes on Foreign E-Commerce as 3.3 Million SMEs Face Cheap-Import Pressure
2 articles · Updated · Nation Thailand · Aug 22
Summary
Thailand’s retail lobby urged ministers to force foreign online sellers to meet domestic product standards and make cross-border platforms collect import duties and VAT at checkout.
The Thai Retailers Association says cheap imports are exploiting tariff and tax loopholes, with overseas manufacturers redirecting surplus goods into Thailand and undercutting local SMEs on price.
3.3 million Thai SMEs employ about 13.6 million people—nearly 70% of private-sector workers—making the dispute a broader employment and retail-stability issue.
Online sales rose 23.5% versus 7.5% for physical stores, but customs bottlenecks and the huge flow of low-value parcels are slowing enforcement even as ministries acknowledge the imbalance.