Thailand’s competition regulator is preparing new rules requiring major digital platforms to explain how they set and change commissions and service charges, responding to complaints from restaurants, small businesses and delivery riders.
The proposal targets business-to-business relationships in sectors including food delivery and ride-hailing. Rather than imposing a direct cap on fees, the regulator intends to make charges more transparent and their increases easier to scrutinise.
Key points
- A 30-day public consultation on the draft rules runs from 21 October to 20 November 2026.
- The proposal would require covered platforms to disclose and justify changes to commissions and other service charges.
- The regulator says the objective is greater transparency and fair competition, not a blanket cap on fees.
The Trade Competition Commission approved the draft announcement on 19 October. After the consultation, it is scheduled to reconsider the proposal on 23 November, with the announcement expected to be signed by 4 December and enforcement targeted for 18 December, subject to publication in the Royal Gazette. The draft covers five categories of charges, including service fees, revenue-sharing arrangements, other benefits and waiting charges. Platforms would need to explain changes by reference to factors such as operating costs and technology investment.
The regulator has received 37 complaints from restaurants and riders, about 90% of which concern gross-profit or GP fees. It has identified eight rounds of fee increases between April and August 2026. Large e-commerce marketplaces will face a separate regulatory approach because their business models differ from delivery and ride-hailing platforms. The rules would focus on operators with substantial market power rather than applying identically to every provider.
For small businesses, greater disclosure could improve budgeting and strengthen their ability to challenge unexplained charges. However, transparency alone will not necessarily lower commission rates or restore margins; the effect will depend on implementation, enforcement and the availability of competing platforms. Related coverage is available through Thailand Business News: Business coverage.
Why it matters: Digital platforms are increasingly important sales and distribution channels for Thai SMEs. More predictable fee structures could help smaller firms manage cash flow and protect margins, although the proposal stops short of guaranteeing lower operating costs.
