Thailand’s competition regulator has backed a draft requiring ride-hailing and delivery platforms to justify fees and give advance notice of increases, putting more scrutiny on charges paid by drivers and users.
The Bangkok Post reported Thursday that the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) approved the proposal in principle. The draft advances an earlier public consultation on platform fees covered in EconoTimes’ earlier report.
In its account of the proposal, the newspaper said platform charges would need to reflect necessary costs and benefits. Platforms would have to provide clear fee breakdowns that users can verify and challenge. For fees charged to business partners, operators would need to explain the underlying financial or nonfinancial costs or benefits and provide a lawful justification tied to the service’s benefits.
The Bangkok Post reported that firms with more than 10% market share would be classified as having market power, while those above 33.33% would be considered dominant. Platforms in the first category would need to prepare a policy, criteria, justification and preliminary impact assessment before increasing fees or adding charges. They would also have to notify users and the TCCT at least 90 days before new rates take effect.
Dominant operators would need to seek approval at least 180 days before raising fees and submit detailed reasons and an impact assessment. The TCCT would have 180 days to decide; if it did not rule within that period, the draft would treat the request as approved.
Commissioner Warawan Chitaroon told the Bangkok Post that two major players account for 90% of each ride-hailing and on-demand delivery market. She raised concerns about platforms charging drivers while assigning bundled deliveries without proportionate compensation. The newspaper also reported that the commission cited Section 60 of the Trade Competition Act in ordering six major operators — three in ride-hailing and on-demand delivery combined, and three in e-commerce — to suspend fee increases for six months, from August 2026 until February 2027. The exact start and end days were not specified. Warawan said the pause would give the regulator time to examine reasons for higher charges while it develops longer-term fair-competition measures.
Public consultation runs through Nov. 19, with the results scheduled for board review Nov. 23. The announcement is expected to be published in the Royal Gazette by Dec. 18, the Bangkok Post reported.
