Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Thawi Watthana

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Thawi Watthana, Thailand

E-commerce and Internet law in Thawi Watthana follows national Thai law, since district-level rules do not override central legislation. Businesses and individuals operating online in Thawi Watthana must comply with Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act, Electronic Transactions Act, Computer Crime Act, consumer protection rules for distance selling, advertising and promotions rules, payment system regulations, tax obligations, and intellectual property laws. Local practice matters because enforcement and practical steps often involve Bangkok-based agencies, such as the Department of Business Development for e-commerce registration, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board for consumer complaints, and the Technology Crime Suppression Division for cybercrime reports. This guide explains the essentials so you can operate safely and confidently.

This information is general guidance only and not legal advice. Always consult a qualified Thai lawyer for your specific situation.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Launching or scaling an online store or platform involves multiple legal layers. A lawyer can help you select the right business structure, register with the Department of Business Development, draft compliant website terms and conditions, and create a privacy policy and cookie notice that meet the Personal Data Protection Act requirements.

If you collect or share customer data, a lawyer can design a data protection program, prepare consent flows, handle cross-border data transfers, and respond to data subject requests. In case of a data breach, counsel can guide regulatory notifications and communications.

For marketing, promotions, and influencer campaigns, legal advice helps you comply with advertising and pricing rules, endorsement disclosures, and platform-specific terms. If you sell across borders, you will need guidance on taxes, customs, and payment rules.

Lawyers are essential when you face takedown demands, defamation, counterfeit goods, or intellectual property infringement. They can also help negotiate platform agreements, vendor and logistics contracts, and service level agreements, as well as address marketplace disputes and chargebacks.

Fintech features like e-money, wallets, buy-now-pay-later, or installment sales may trigger licenses or approvals. Counsel can assess compliance with payment system laws, anti-money laundering expectations, and Bank of Thailand notifications.

Local Laws Overview

Electronic Transactions Act - This law recognizes the legal validity of electronic contracts, electronic signatures, and electronic records. It sets principles for reliability, consent, and admissibility of e-evidence. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency issues detailed guidelines and notifications.

Personal Data Protection Act - Thailand’s PDPA governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. It requires lawful bases for processing, transparency via privacy notices, consent where required, data subject rights, security measures, and data processor contracts. Cross-border transfers must meet adequacy, safeguards, or consent conditions. Data breaches that risk individuals’ rights must be notified without delay and generally within 72 hours to the regulator, and to affected individuals when high risk exists.

Computer Crime Act - This law targets unauthorized access, data interference, and illegal online content. It provides procedures for removal of unlawful content upon court order and sets out criminal liabilities. Intermediaries may receive court-ordered requests for data or takedown and should maintain logs in line with notifications.

Consumer Protection and Distance Selling - The Consumer Protection Act and related notifications require clear pre-sale disclosures, accurate advertising, truthful pricing, and fair contract terms. The Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act applies to many online sellers engaged in direct marketing and includes registration duties and a 7-day cooling-off right for consumers in qualifying transactions.

Digital Platform Transparency - Certain platform operators must notify the Electronic Transactions Development Agency and comply with transparency and complaint-handling standards under the royal decree on digital platform service businesses. Thresholds and obligations vary by platform size and activity.

Payment Systems and E-money - The Payment Systems Act and Bank of Thailand regulations govern e-money, payment gateways, QR payments, and other payment services. Some activities require prior licensing or registration, as well as ongoing compliance, security, and consumer protection controls.

Intellectual Property - The Copyright Act, Trademark Act, and related laws protect content, software, images, brands, and designs. Online sellers should avoid infringing content, respect licenses, and use notice-and-takedown procedures where appropriate. Courts and regulators can order disabling access or removal of infringing or illegal content.

Taxation - VAT is generally 7 percent. Domestic online sellers must register for VAT once annual turnover exceeds the statutory threshold. Foreign electronic service providers supplying B2C services into Thailand may have to register for VAT under the e-service regime. E-tax invoices and e-receipts are permitted subject to Revenue Department formats and procedures.

Advertising and Promotions - Rules restrict false or exaggerated claims, bait-and-switch tactics, drip pricing, and misleading comparisons. Influencer and affiliate campaigns should disclose sponsored relationships and ensure claims are substantiated. Some promotions may require specific disclosures about eligibility, duration, and conditions.

Content Moderation and Defamation - Removal of defamatory or illegal content typically occurs through court orders under the Computer Crime Act or related procedures. Platforms should maintain clear notice channels and internal policies to manage complaints.

Local Practice in Thawi Watthana - You will interact primarily with Bangkok-based bodies, such as the Department of Business Development for e-commerce registration and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board for consumer disputes. Cybercrime complaints are commonly handled by the Technology Crime Suppression Division. Local police stations may also coordinate with national units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are electronic contracts and signatures valid in Thailand?

Yes. The Electronic Transactions Act recognizes electronic contracts and signatures. For higher risk transactions, use a reliable signature method that identifies the signer and confirms intent, and keep robust audit logs. Some documents still require specific formalities, such as land transfers or documents that must be executed before a government official.

Do I need to register my online business?

Most sellers operating as companies must register with the Department of Business Development. Many direct marketing activities require registration under the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act. You are also expected to display key business details on your website or page, such as business name, address, contact information, and tax number where applicable.

What must my website include to comply with consumer law?

Provide clear product descriptions, total prices inclusive of taxes and fees, delivery costs, delivery times, return and refund terms, business identity, and contact channels. Terms must be fair and not one-sided. If you use standard form contracts, avoid clauses that unreasonably limit liability or waive consumer rights.

What does the PDPA require from an online store?

You need a privacy notice, a lawful basis for processing, consent where required, reasonable security measures, data processing agreements with vendors, and procedures to handle access or deletion requests. If you use non-essential cookies, obtain consent and provide granular controls. Cross-border transfers must meet PDPA conditions.

Is there a cooling-off period for online purchases?

Under the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Act, qualifying direct marketing transactions provide a 7-day right for consumers to cancel. Not all online sales will fall into this regime. Many businesses voluntarily offer return policies. Your policy should be transparent and easily accessible.

How should I run influencer or affiliate marketing legally?

Ensure disclosures of paid relationships are clear and prominent. Claims must be accurate and substantiated. Show full prices and conditions of promotions. Keep records of campaign materials, approvals, and performance data to demonstrate compliance if challenged.

What are my obligations after a data breach?

Assess the incident, contain it, and document facts. If the breach risks individuals’ rights, notify the regulator without delay and generally within 72 hours, and notify affected individuals if there is high risk. Maintain evidence, review vendor obligations, and update security measures.

Do marketplaces or platforms face liability for seller content?

Platforms can receive court orders to remove illegal content under the Computer Crime Act and may have obligations under platform transparency rules. Clear takedown processes, terms, and logging practices help manage risk. Specific liability depends on facts and whether orders have been issued.

What taxes apply to e-commerce in Thailand?

VAT at 7 percent generally applies. Domestic sellers register when turnover exceeds the threshold. Foreign electronic service providers supplying B2C services may need to register and collect VAT under Thailand’s e-service regime. Keep proper tax invoices or e-tax invoices and file returns on time.

Can I transfer customer data overseas?

Yes, if PDPA conditions are met. Common options are consent, transfers to adequate jurisdictions, or appropriate safeguards such as intra-group rules or agreements. Map your data flows and document your chosen transfer mechanism.

Additional Resources

Personal Data Protection Committee - Regulator responsible for PDPA enforcement, breach notifications, and guidance.

Electronic Transactions Development Agency - Provides guidance on electronic transactions, electronic signatures, trust services, and digital platform obligations.

Department of Business Development - Handles company registrations, e-commerce disclosures, and the DBD e-commerce registration and trustmark program.

Office of the Consumer Protection Board - Oversees consumer complaints, advertising and promotion rules, and distance selling requirements.

Bank of Thailand - Supervises payment systems, e-money, and related service providers under the Payment Systems Act.

Revenue Department - Oversees VAT, e-service VAT for foreign providers, and e-tax invoice and e-receipt programs.

Technology Crime Suppression Division - Law enforcement unit handling cybercrime and online wrongdoing.

Intellectual Property Department - Administers trademarks, patents, and copyrights and provides guidance on IP protection strategies.

Next Steps

Identify your model - marketplace, direct seller, platform, SaaS, or fintech-adjacent. Your obligations differ based on activities, data use, and payment flows.

Map data and operations - document what personal data you collect, why you process it, where you store it, who you share it with, and whether you transfer it abroad. List your vendors and platforms.

Implement core documents - prepare terms and conditions, privacy notice, cookie notice, return and refund policy, and seller or vendor agreements. Provide Thai-language versions for consumer-facing materials.

Set up compliance workflows - consent management, data subject request handling, breach response plan, content takedown process, complaint handling, and ad claim substantiation files.

Register as required - business registration with the Department of Business Development, direct marketing registration if applicable, VAT registration when thresholds are met, and notifications for digital platforms if you meet thresholds.

Harden security - adopt reasonable technical and organizational measures, vendor due diligence, encryption, access controls, and audit logs to meet PDPA and industry expectations.

Train your team - onboarding and periodic refreshers for staff on data protection, advertising rules, consumer handling, and incident response.

Consult a lawyer - get a tailored assessment for your Thawi Watthana operations, review your contracts and policies, and plan for upcoming regulatory changes that may affect your sector.

Monitor and update - laws and guidance evolve. Review your legal documents, data flows, and marketing practices at least annually or after significant business changes.