Taxation for foreigners under Thai laws

Thailand is a popular destination for expats and retirees from around the globe. If you’re a foreigner living in Thailand, or with properties or ties in the country, it is important to know what type of income is subject to taxes under Thai laws.

This brief summary of taxes will give you an overview of the various taxes that the foreigners are subject to under Thai laws.

Personal Income Tax (“PIT”)

Thailand imposes a Personal Income Tax (“PIT”) on worldwide income, through the application of source rule and residence rule.

Source rule applies to foreigners who earn Thai-sourced income, and thus, are subject to PIT in Thailand, whether or not such income is paid in Thailand.

Residence rule applies to foreign-sourced income, depending on the status of the foreigner as a tax resident in Thailand or not. The Thai tax year follows the calendar year, and tax residency is defined as when a foreigner stays in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating 180 days or more in any tax year. A tax resident earning foreign-sourced income shall be subject to PIT in Thailand if such income is brought into the Kingdom in the same tax year in which such income is gained. On the other hand, if the foreigner is not a tax resident, PIT in Thailand does not apply to foreign-sourced income.

The tax rate on PIT is progressive, from 0% to 35% of the net assessable income after deducting any exempt incomes, expenses, and allowances. In general, taxpayers have until March 31 of the following (tax) year to file the annual PIT return (PND 90 or 91). If a foreigner earns certain income, such as income from rental, or income from a business, a half-year PIT return (PND 94) shall be filed within September 30 of the same tax year.

Foreigners deemed liable to pay PIT shall apply for a tax identification number within 60 days from the date they begin earning assessable income.

Gift Tax

The Gift Tax is a particular type of PIT for which the above source rule and/or residence rule also apply. In this case, a foreigner receiving movable properties (cash, car, jewelry, etc.) from an ancestor, a descendant, or a spouse as a sustentation, support, or gift, will be subject to a 5% Gift Tax on the portion exceeding 20 million THB, in each tax year.

However, if the movable properties are given to the foreigner in the event of a formal ceremony, on customary occasions, or under moral responsibility, by a person who is not an ancestor, a descendant, or a spouse, the 5% Gift Tax will apply on the portion exceeding 10 million THB, in each tax year.

Lastly, the 5% Gift Tax shall be applied on the portion exceeding 20 million THB of the appraised value of immovable assets (land, building, condominium unit, etc.) per legitimate child, in each tax year, which ownership is transferred without compensation from Parents to their legitimate children (but not adopted children).

Withholding Tax (“WHT”)

Certain types of income shall be subject to Withholding Tax (“WHT”). The duty to deduct the WHT from a tax resident or a non-tax resident rises at the time a payment is made. For instances:

Types of income A tax resident A non-tax resident
Income from employment Progressive rates from 0% to 35% of the net assessable income Progressive rates from 0% to 35% of the net assessable income
Income from a position or performance of work Progressive rates from 0% to 35% of the net assessable income 15% of the fee
Interest 15% of the interest 15% of the interest
Capital gains Progressive rates from 5% to 35% of the capital gains 15% of the capital gains
Dividends 10% of the dividends 10% of the dividends
Rental fee 5% of the rental fee 15% of the rental fee

Eventually, the WHT rate may also be reduced or exempted in case of a Double Taxation Agreement (“DTA”) being in place between Thailand and the country where the foreigner is a tax resident, or in case other domestic Laws are applicable i.e., the Investment Promotion Act.

Value Added Tax (“VAT”)

Any foreigner who regularly sells goods or provides services in Thailand and whose annual revenues exceed 1.8 million THB shall register for Value Added Tax (“VAT”) before the starting of business operations or within 30 days of the earnings reaching the threshold of assessable income.

It has to be noted that foreigners providing an electronic service (“e-Service”) from abroad to users in Thailand who are non-VAT registrants shall register for VAT as well.

However, certain activities are exempt from VAT, i.e., services under an employment agreement, rental of immovable property, and performance of an actor/actress.

Currently, the general VAT rate is equal to 7% of the goods or service value. Activities such as the export of goods and services are subject to 0% VAT. VAT returns (P.P. 30 or P.P. 30.9) shall be filed monthly, together with the due tax payment (if any) within the 15th day of the following month.

Importers are also subject to VAT in Thailand, no matter whether they are VAT registrants or not. In this case, VAT shall be collected by the Customs Department at the time of the goods being cleared at customs for import.

Specific Business Tax (“SBT”)

Any foreigner who sells or transfers an immovable property within 5 years from the date of acquisition shall be subject to a Specific Business Tax (“SBT”) at a rate of 3.3% (including a 10% local tax) of the appraised value or sale price, whichever is greater, at the time of registering the transfer at the Land Office.

Stamp Duty (“SD”)

The execution of certain instruments is subject to a Stamp Duty (“SD”), which can be affixed or paid by cash at the Revenue Office or via the e-stamp duty system on the website of the Thai Revenue Department, depending on the case. These instruments include rental of land or building, transfer of shares, transfer of immovable property, hire of work, loan of money, power of attorney, guarantee, and duplication of an instrument.

The SD rate is fixed or may be calculated as a percentage of a specific value according to the transaction. For instance:

  • rental of land or building is subject to an SD of 0.1% of the rental fee, or key money, or both, for the entire lease period;
  • transfer of share is subject to an SD of 0.1% of the paid-up value of the shares or shares sale value, whichever is greater;
  • transfer of immovable property is subject to an SD of 0.5% of the appraised value or sale value, whichever is the greater
  • hire of work contracts are subject to an SD of 0.1% of the remuneration provided for the work under the contract
  • duplication of an instrument is subject to an SD of 1.00 THB if the SD of the original instrument does not exceed 5.00 THB, or 5.00 THB if the SD of the original instrument exceeds 5.00 THB.

The person liable to pay or affix the SD is the lessor, share transferor, contractor, lender, land or building seller, guarantor, etc., in the transaction. The holder of a legal instrument as mentioned above, or a beneficiary, are also subject to pay SD to execute the instrument.

Inheritance Tax

Any foreigner who is domiciled in Thailand under the Immigration Law shall be liable to pay Inheritance Tax within 150 days from the date the net inheritance value from each testator exceeds 100 million THB, together with the tax payment. In case the beneficiary is an ancestor or a descendant of the testator, a rate of 5% applies to the net inheritance value (the inheritance value received after deduction for any liabilities) exceeding 100 million THB from each testator. In other cases, a rate of 10% applies to the net inheritance value exceeding 100 million THB.

The above tax rates shall also apply to other foreigners, but only to an inheritance that is situated, registered, withdrawn, or claimed in Thailand.

Land and Building Tax (“L&B Tax”)

Any foreigner being the owner of a land, building or condominium unit (“owner”) in Thailand shall be required to pay a Land and Building Tax (“L&B Tax”) within April of each year.

Currently, the L&B Tax is calculated based on progressive rates ranging from 0.01% to 0.70% of the net appraised value of the land, building and/or condominium unit, depending on the use of the land and/or building, i.e., agricultural, residential, unused/vacant, or other uses.

What ILCT Ltd. can do for you

ILCT offers a wide range of services encompassing all taxes relating to business and industry, for companies and individuals. These include tax planning, interpretation of tax laws, regulations and double tax treaties, defending tax assessments and litigating tax claims.

Contact us at law@ilct.co.th for any inquiry related to taxation matters.

 

Taxation for foreigners under Thai laws Download

The Immigration Bureau launches “e-Extension” to allow foreigners to extend certain types of visas by electronic means

What is the “e-Extension”

The “e-Extension – Save time at Immigration” is a service system aimed at increasing the convenience for people requesting permission to extend their stay in the Kingdom of Thailand temporarily, through digital technology. The new system is in line with the government development guidelines to digitalize the management of state affairs. With the e-Extension, foreigners can submit an application for permission to extend their stay in the Kingdom and pay any related fees electronically and on their own. Then, they will need to visit the Immigration office to verify their identity and receive a stamp.

How to apply for the “e-Extension”

The Immigration Bureau partnered with VFS Global, the most important outsourcing specialist for governments worldwide, to provide the online channel for the E-Extension application.

To begin with, the applicant must register on the website providing all the necessary information and documents. The passport used for the application shall be the same one used to get the e-Extension visa and shall be valid after the date of application. The application can be created for an individual or a family (maximum of 5 members).

Then, the applicant shall book an appointment at the immigration office to get the e-Extension visa stamp on the passport and pay the fee through a secured payment gateway. Usually, the processing time of the e-Extension visa is between 1 and 7 days. However, a super urgent visa service is provided at additional cost to process the visa within the next day.

The last step, provided that the application will be approved and given an e-Extension code, is to print out and save a pdf file with the outcome and visit the immigration office to get the stamp. Once at the immigration, the new E-Extension area is clearly indicated to queue for the E-Extension counter. Presenting the necessary required documents and passport to the officer shall be enough to get the E-Extension visa stamp.

Eligible visa and documents required
To apply for an electronic extension, foreigners must have a stamp for a temporary stay after possessing certain types of visas. In particular, there are 12 categories of visas that are eligible to apply for the e-Extension:

  1. Carry out duties for the government (Non-Immigrant and Official visa): Non-Immigrant and Official visas are required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a valid Work Permit
  2. Tourism: A tourist visa is required before applying for the extension visa
  3. Teacher, professor, or expert in government educational institution (Non-Immigrant and Official visa): Non-Immigrant and Official visas are required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a valid Work Permit and a Teaching license or equivalent
  4. Study in a government educational institution (Non-Immigrant and Official visa): Non-Immigrant is required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay issued by the educational institution
  5. Teaching practice or conducting training or research in an educational institution or research institution (Non-Immigrant and Official visa): Non-Immigrant and Official visas are required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay issued by Head of research or head of the educational institution.
  6. Performing duties in the mass media (Non-Immigrant and Official visa): Non-Immigrant and Official visas are required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a valid Work Permit and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay issued by the Government Public Relations Department or MFA’s the department of information
  7. Skilled laborer, medical expert, or practitioner of other professions (Non-Immigrant): Non-Immigrant is required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay issued by the relevant organization or agency
  8. Installation or repair of machines, aircrafts, or ocean vessels (Non-Immigrant): Non-Immigrant is required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay issued by the relevant organization or agency
  9. Family member of a Thai residence (Non-Immigrant): Non-Immigrant is required prior to the application for the extension visa, together with the documents proving the relationship, the residence certificate and alien registration certificate of the alien granted residence permit in Thailand, and proof of address notification
  10. Used to have Thai nationality or whose parent is or was of Thai (Exemption visa type), (TR 60 days) and (Non-Immigrant): an Exemption visa (POR30, PORPOR30, PORPOR14), TR15, Non-30, Non-90, APEC, a TR 60 days visa, and a Non-Immigrant visa are required prior to the application for the extension visa, together with documents proving that the applicant previously held Thai nationality or whose parent holds or held Thai nationality and proof of address notification
  11. Necessity case, Confirmation or request by the embassy (any reasons), Exemption visa, TR 60 days, Non-Immigrant and Official visa: an Exemption visa (POR30, PORPOR30, PORPOR14), TR15, Non-30, Non-90, APEC, a TR 60 days visa, and a Non-Immigrant and Official visa are required prior to the application for the extension visa, together with a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay from the embassy and consulate in Thailand
  12. Training case, Confirmation, or request by the embassy (Non-Immigrant): Non-Immigrant is required prior to the application for the extension visa, and a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay from the embassy and consulate in Thailand together with a valid Work Permit

A Person in charge of conveyance or crew of conveyance having an Exemption visa (Transit) can also apply for an extension visa, provided that they have a Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay from the relevant government or private organization or agency.

Please, note that the indicated required documents do not cover the full set of documents that the immigration will require to extend the visa. Applicants may find the complete list of required documents for each type of visa on VFS Global’s website.

What ILCT Ltd. can do for you

ILCT offers expatriation and immigration services, including advice and assistance in obtaining/renewing visas and work permits for expatriates and their families, obtaining Tax Identity Cards, customs Clearance Cards, Thai and International Drivers’ Licenses, etc., and personal tax planning.

Contact us at law@ilct.co.th for any inquiry related to immigration matters.

 

The Immigration Bureau launches “e-Extension” to allow foreigners to extend certain types of visas by electronic means Download

Insights on the Act on Management of State Affairs by Electronic Means (B.E. 2565)

Insights on the Act on Management of State Affairs by Electronic Means (B.E. 2565)

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Name of the law and effective date
The Act on Management of State Affairs by Electronic Means (B.E. 2565), which aims at reforming the way the Public Administration serves the public by procuring the necessary technological advancement, was published in the Royal Gazette on October 12, 2022, and it will take 90 days from the publication date to become effective.

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To whom applicable
The Act applies to all “State Agencies”, which include the central administration, provincial administrations, local administrations, state enterprises, public organizations, and all other state agencies. As of now, State Enterprises incorporated in the form of limited liability companies or public limited companies, legislative and judicial service State Agencies, independent constitutional organizations, prosecutorial organizations, and any other State Agencies as specified in Ministerial Regulation are excluded from this category.

āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļšāđƒāļŠāđ‰āļāļąāļšāđƒāļ„āļĢ
āļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāļ‰āļšāļąāļšāļ™āļĩāđ‰āđƒāļŦāđ‰āđƒāļŠāđ‰āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļšāđāļāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ—āļļāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒ āļ‹āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāļ§āļĄāļ–āļķāļ‡āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļāļĨāļēāļ‡ āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ āļđāļĄāļīāļ āļēāļ„ āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ—āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ–āļ·āđˆāļ™ āļĢāļąāļāļ§āļīāļŠāļēāļŦāļāļīāļˆ āļ­āļ‡āļ„āđŒāļāļēāļĢāļĄāļŦāļēāļŠāļ™ āđāļĨāļ°āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ—āļļāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒ āđƒāļ™āļ‚āļ“āļ°āļ™āļĩāđ‰ āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ„āļĄāđˆāļĢāļ§āļĄāļ–āļķāļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ§āļīāļŠāļēāļŦāļāļīāļˆāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļšāļĢāļīāļĐāļąāļ—āļˆāļģāļāļąāļ”āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļšāļĢāļīāļĐāļąāļ—āļĄāļŦāļēāļŠāļ™āļˆāļģāļāļąāļ” āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđƒāļ™āļāđˆāļēāļĒāļ™āļīāļ•āļīāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāđāļĨāļ°āļāđˆāļēāļĒāļ•āļļāļĨāļēāļāļēāļĢ āļ­āļ‡āļ„āđŒāļāļĢāļ­āļīāļŠāļĢāļ°āļ•āļēāļĄāļĢāļąāļāļ˜āļĢāļĢāļĄāļ™āļđāļāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļ­āļ‡āļ„āđŒāļāļĢāļ­āļąāļĒāļāļēāļĢ āđāļĨāļ°āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ—āļĩāđˆāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļ™āļāļŽāļāļĢāļ°āļ—āļĢāļ§āļ‡

Subjects covered
The Act provides in Section 7 that in the case of applying for any license to a State Agency, the applicant may decide to submit the required documentation via electronic means. The submission shall be deemed lawful and cannot be rejected by officials solely because it has been submitted electronically. There are no requirements for physically certifying the documents with a signature.
The registration of immovable properties, or the personal registration in case of marriage, divorce, child adoption, or other similar matters, or the application to request an identification card or passport, or any other documents that require a person to apply personally to comply with an examination by the officers, do not fall under the scope of Section 7 unless otherwise specified by the relevant regulation.

āļŦāļąāļ§āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļĢāļ­āļšāļ„āļĨāļļāļĄ
āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 7 āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāļ‰āļšāļąāļšāļ™āļĩāđ‰āļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāđƒāļŦāđ‰āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āđƒāļ”āđ† āļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļ āļœāļđāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āļ­āļēāļˆāļĒāļ·āđˆāļ™āļ„āļģāļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āļĢāļ§āļĄāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ™āļģāļŠāđˆāļ‡āđ€āļ­āļāļŠāļēāļĢāļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒ āđāļĨāļ°āļāļēāļĢāļĒāļ·āđˆāļ™āļ”āļąāļ‡āļāļĨāđˆāļēāļ§āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ–āļ·āļ­āļ§āđˆāļēāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļ­āļšāļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļāļŽāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāđāļĨāđ‰āļ§āđāļĨāļ°āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ„āļĄāđˆāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ›āļāļīāđ€āļŠāļ˜āđ„āļĄāđˆāļĢāļąāļšāļāļēāļĢāļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āļ™āļąāđ‰āļ™āđ€āļžāļĩāļĒāļ‡āđ€āļžāļĢāļēāļ°āđ€āļŦāļ•āļļāļ—āļĩāđˆāļœāļđāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļĒāļ·āđˆāļ™āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒ āļ—āļąāđ‰āļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰ āļœāļđāđ‰āļŠāđˆāļ‡āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļĨāļ‡āļ™āļēāļĄāļĢāļąāļšāļĢāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļģāđ€āļ™āļēāđ€āļ­āļāļŠāļēāļĢāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŠāđˆāļ‡āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ”āļąāļ‡āļāļĨāđˆāļēāļ§
āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢāļāđ‡āļ•āļēāļĄ āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 7 āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ‡āļ•āđ‰āļ™āđ„āļĄāđˆāđƒāļŠāđ‰āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļšāđāļāđˆāļāļēāļĢāļˆāļ”āļ—āļ°āđ€āļšāļĩāļĒāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāļœāļđāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļˆāļ”āļ—āļ°āđ€āļšāļĩāļĒāļ™āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāđ€āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļ‰āļžāļēāļ°āļ•āļąāļ§ āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ§āđˆāļēāļˆāļ°āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļĄāļĢāļŠ āļāļēāļĢāļŦāļĒāđˆāļē āļāļēāļĢāļĢāļąāļšāļšāļļāļ•āļĢāļšāļļāļāļ˜āļĢāļĢāļĄ āļāļēāļĢāļ‚āļ­āļĄāļĩāļšāļąāļ•āļĢāļ›āļĢāļ°āļˆāļģāļ•āļąāļ§āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™ āļŦāļ™āļąāļ‡āļŠāļ·āļ­āđ€āļ”āļīāļ™āļ—āļēāļ‡ āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļāļēāļĢāļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™āđƒāļ”āļ—āļĩāđˆāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļ™āļāļŽāļāļĢāļ°āļ—āļĢāļ§āļ‡ āđ€āļ§āđ‰āļ™āđāļ•āđˆāļāļŽāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāđƒāļ™āđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ™āļąāđ‰āļ™āļˆāļ°āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļāļĢāļ°āļ—āļģāđ„āļ”āđ‰

Summary of essential points
Among other relevant Sections, some are immediately effective starting from October 13, 2022, the day after the date of the publication of the act in the Government Gazette. In particular,

    1. In consideration of what is mentioned in Section 7, Section 12 concerns the duty of State Agencies to make copies and certify the documentation they issue without charging the applicants any fees or expenses, when the state agencies require a copy or evidence of the documentation and the applicant brings the original to show it to the State Agencies. This duty cannot be used as an excuse for any delay in the consideration of a license;
    1. Section 15, paragraph two, assigns the Department of Comptroller General the duty to promptly amend any laws, regulations, rules, prescriptions, and resolutions that may impede efficient digital communication between a state agency or state officials and any other subjects as prescribed by the regulation (other state agencies or state officials, the general public). Moreover, for a state agency to be excused from implementing these electronic measures a Royal Decree must be issued first, stating the reasons (why it cannot adopt the use of electronic means), the necessities, and the period for the exemption;
    1. Section 19 appoints the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission, the Office of the Council of State, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency, and the Digital Government Development Agency as the public organizations in charge of defining the electronic methods and communication technology standards that state agencies must use and implement, and propose the method to the Council of Ministers. To begin with, the proposal shall take into account the issues of connectivity, utilization of existing information and equipment, and easy access by the general public, and it shall be submitted to the Council of Ministers within 240 days from the day after the Act becomes effective;
    1. Section 20 establishes a term of 90 days for the heads of state agencies to announce electronic channels for the general public to make contact with them and the electronic methods to be adopted by state officials to carry out their operations. The term elapses from the day the Council of Ministers issues a resolution that instructs state agencies on the electronic methods to be used and implemented, including information and communication technology standards. Section 22 provides that the Council of Ministers shall also appoint a specific state agency in charge to monitor and accelerate the implementation of the electronic methods and technology standards by all the state agencies to whom the Act is applicable. Every 60 days, this state agency will report to the Council of Ministers and the general public which state agencies are failing to comply. These state agencies will be informed every 15 days of the duties and timeframe for the implementation.

āļŠāļĢāļļāļ›āļ›āļĢāļ°āđ€āļ”āđ‡āļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāļŠāļģāļ„āļąāļ
āļ—āđˆāļēāļĄāļāļĨāļēāļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™āđ† āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļ‡ āļšāļēāļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļŦāđ‰āđƒāļŠāđ‰āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļšāļ—āļąāļ™āļ—āļĩāļ•āļąāđ‰āļ‡āđāļ•āđˆāļ§āļąāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆ 13 āļ•āļļāļĨāļēāļ„āļĄ 2565 āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ•āđ‰āļ™āđ„āļ› āļ‹āļķāđˆāļ‡āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ§āļąāļ™āļ–āļąāļ”āļˆāļēāļāļ§āļąāļ™āļ›āļĢāļ°āļāļēāļĻāđƒāļ™āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļīāļˆāļˆāļēāļ™āļļāđ€āļšāļāļĐāļē āļ‹āļķāđˆāļ‡āđ„āļ”āđ‰āđāļāđˆāļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļ”āļąāļ‡āļ•āđˆāļ­āđ„āļ›āļ™āļĩāđ‰

    1. āđ€āļžāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ›āļĢāļ°āđ‚āļĒāļŠāļ™āđŒāđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļžāļīāļˆāļēāļĢāļ“āļēāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāđƒāļ™āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 7 āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 12 āļˆāļķāļ‡āļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āļāļēāļĢāļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļžāļīāļˆāļēāļĢāļ“āļēāļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ• āđƒāļ™āļāļĢāļ“āļĩāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļĄāļĩāļŠāļģāđ€āļ™āļēāđ€āļ­āļāļŠāļēāļĢāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđƒāļ”āđ† āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļœāļđāđ‰āļ­āļ­āļāđƒāļŦāđ‰āđāļāđˆāļœāļđāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ• āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āļœāļđāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ™āļģāđ€āļ­āļāļŠāļēāļĢāļ•āđ‰āļ™āļ‰āļšāļąāļšāļĄāļēāđāļŠāļ”āļ‡āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§ āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ™āļąāđ‰āļ™āļĄāļĩāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļˆāļąāļ”āļ—āļģāļŠāļģāđ€āļ™āļēāđ€āļ­āļāļŠāļēāļĢāđāļĨāļ°āļĢāļąāļšāļĢāļ­āļ‡āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļŠāļģāđ€āļ™āļēāļ™āļąāđ‰āļ™āđ€āļ­āļ‡āđ‚āļ”āļĒāđ„āļĄāđˆāđ€āļĢāļĩāļĒāļāđ€āļāđ‡āļšāļ„āđˆāļēāļ˜āļĢāļĢāļĄāđ€āļ™āļĩāļĒāļĄāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļ„āđˆāļēāđƒāļŠāđ‰āļˆāđˆāļēāļĒāđƒāļ”āđ† āļ—āļąāđ‰āļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰ āļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ”āļąāļ‡āļāļĨāđˆāļēāļ§āđ„āļĄāđˆāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ™āļģāļĄāļēāđƒāļŠāđ‰āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļ­āđ‰āļēāļ‡āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĨāđˆāļēāļŠāđ‰āļēāđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļžāļīāļˆāļēāļĢāļ“āļēāļ­āļ™āļļāļāļēāļ•
    1. āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 15 āļ§āļĢāļĢāļ„āļŠāļ­āļ‡āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļāļĢāļĄāļšāļąāļāļŠāļĩāļāļĨāļēāļ‡āļĄāļĩāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāđāļāđ‰āđ„āļ‚āļāļŽāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒ āļāļŽ āļĢāļ°āđ€āļšāļĩāļĒāļš āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļš āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļĄāļ•āļīāđƒāļ”āđ† āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ­āļļāļ›āļŠāļĢāļĢāļ„āļ•āđˆāļ­āļāļēāļĢāļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļīāļ”āļ•āđˆāļ­āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļāļąāļ™ āļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļ āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđƒāļ™āļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļ­āļģāļ™āļēāļˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ™āļąāđ‰āļ™āđ‚āļ”āļĒāđ€āļĢāđ‡āļ§ āļ—āļąāđ‰āļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰ āļŦāļēāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āđƒāļ”āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ„āļĄāđˆāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļĢāļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļšāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāđ„āļ”āđ‰ āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ•āļĢāļēāļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļĪāļĐāļŽāļĩāļāļēāļĒāļāđ€āļ§āđ‰āļ™āđƒāļŦāđ‰āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļāļĢāļ“āļĩāđ† āđ„āļ› āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļ°āļšāļļāđ€āļŦāļ•āļļāļœāļĨ āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļˆāļģāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™ āđāļĨāļ°āļĢāļ°āļĒāļ°āđ€āļ§āļĨāļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļˆāļ°āļĒāļāđ€āļ§āđ‰āļ™āđƒāļŦāđ‰
    1. āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 19 āļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŠāļģāļ™āļąāļāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ„āļ“āļ°āļāļĢāļĢāļĄāļāļēāļĢāļžāļąāļ’āļ™āļēāļĢāļ°āļšāļšāļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢ āļŠāļģāļ™āļąāļāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ„āļ“āļ°āļāļĢāļĢāļĄāļāļēāļĢāļāļĪāļĐāļŽāļĩāļāļē āļŠāļģāļ™āļąāļāļ‡āļēāļ™āļžāļąāļ’āļ™āļēāļ˜āļļāļĢāļāļĢāļĢāļĄāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒ āđāļĨāļ°āļŠāļģāļ™āļąāļāļ‡āļēāļ™āļžāļąāļ’āļ™āļēāļĢāļąāļāļšāļēāļĨāļ”āļīāļˆāļīāļ—āļąāļĨāđƒāļ™āļāļēāļ™āļ°āļ­āļ‡āļ„āđŒāļāļēāļĢāļĄāļŦāļēāļŠāļ™āļĢāđˆāļ§āļĄāļāļąāļ™āļˆāļąāļ”āļ—āļģāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļ‹āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāļ§āļĄāļ–āļķāļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļāļēāļ™āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļđāļĨāļ”āđ‰āļēāļ™āđ€āļ—āļ„āđ‚āļ™āđ‚āļĨāļĒāļĩāļŠāļēāļĢāļŠāļ™āđ€āļ—āļĻāđāļĨāļ°āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļŠāļēāļĢāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļŠāđ‰āđāļĨāļ°āļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāļ āļēāļĒāđƒāļ•āđ‰āļāļēāļĢāļ­āļ™āļļāļĄāļąāļ•āļīāļˆāļēāļāļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩ āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļāļēāļĢāđ€āļĢāļīāđˆāļĄāļ•āđ‰āļ™āļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢ āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āđ€āļŠāļ™āļ­āļ”āļąāļ‡āļāļĨāđˆāļēāļ§āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ„āļģāļ™āļķāļ‡āļāļēāļĢāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļĄāđ‚āļĒāļ‡āļ–āļķāļ‡āļāļąāļ™āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļŠāđ‰āļ­āļļāļ›āļāļĢāļ“āđŒāđāļĨāļ°āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļđāļĨāļ—āļĩāđˆāļĄāļĩāļ­āļĒāļđāđˆāđƒāļŦāđ‰āđ€āļāļīāļ”āļ›āļĢāļ°āđ‚āļĒāļŠāļ™āđŒāļŠāļđāļ‡āļŠāļļāļ”āđ„āļ”āđ‰āđāļĨāļ°āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ—āļąāđˆāļ§āđ„āļ›āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ–āļķāļ‡āđ„āļ”āđ‰āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļŠāļ°āļ”āļ§āļ āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļˆāļ°āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļŠāļ™āļ­āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāļžāļīāļˆāļēāļĢāļ“āļēāļ āļēāļĒāđƒāļ™ 240 āļ§āļąāļ™āļ™āļąāļšāđāļ•āđˆāļ§āļąāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāļ‰āļšāļąāļšāļ™āļĩāđ‰āđƒāļŠāđ‰āļšāļąāļ‡āļ„āļąāļš
    1. āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 20 āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŦāļąāļ§āļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ›āļĢāļ°āļāļēāļĻāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļŠāđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ•āļīāļ”āļ•āđˆāļ­āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢāđāļĨāļ°āļĢāļ°āļšāļšāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļāļēāļĢāļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ‚āļ”āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒ āđƒāļŦāđ‰āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§āđ€āļŠāļĢāđ‡āļˆāļ āļēāļĒāđƒāļ™ 90 āļ§āļąāļ™āļ™āļąāļšāđāļ•āđˆāļ§āļąāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāļĄāļĩāļĄāļ•āļīāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļ‹āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāļ§āļĄāļ–āļķāļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļāļēāļ™āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļđāļĨāļ”āđ‰āļēāļ™āđ€āļ—āļ„āđ‚āļ™āđ‚āļĨāļĒāļĩāļŠāļēāļĢāļŠāļ™āđ€āļ—āļĻāđāļĨāļ°āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļŠāļēāļĢ āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 22 āļˆāļķāļ‡āļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ—āļģāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļīāļ”āļ•āļēāļĄāđāļĨāļ°āđ€āļĢāđˆāļ‡āļĢāļąāļ”āļāļēāļĢāļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļŠāđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ•āļīāļ”āļ•āđˆāļ­āļĢāļēāļŠāļāļēāļĢāđāļĨāļ°āļĢāļ°āļšāļšāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļāļēāļĢāļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ‚āļ”āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒ āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ”āļąāļ‡āļāļĨāđˆāļēāļ§āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļēāļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāđāļĨāļ°āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ—āļĢāļēāļšāļ—āļļāļ 60 āļ§āļąāļ™āļ§āđˆāļēāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āđƒāļ”āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāļ•āļēāļĄ āđāļĨāļ°āđāļˆāđ‰āļ‡āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ—āļļāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ—āļĢāļēāļšāļ—āļļāļ 15 āļ§āļąāļ™āļ–āļķāļ‡āļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļˆāļ°āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāđāļĨāļ°āļĢāļ°āļĒāļ°āđ€āļ§āļĨāļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļˆāļ°āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢ

What does the public need to do
As for the benefit of the general public, the Act mentions that any submission with electronic means through the channels currently provided by a state agency of interest is deemed to be lawful unless otherwise provided. However, in case the Council of Ministers has not issued a resolution specifying electronic methods under Section 19, state agencies shall follow other commonly prevalent standards.

āļŠāļīāđˆāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ—āļģ
āđ€āļžāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ›āļĢāļ°āđ‚āļĒāļŠāļ™āđŒāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļ—āļąāđˆāļ§āđ„āļ› āļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļīāļ‰āļšāļąāļšāļ™āļĩāđ‰āļĒāļ·āļ™āļĒāļąāļ™āļ§āđˆāļēāļāļēāļĢāļĒāļ·āđˆāļ™āđƒāļ”āđ† āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļœāđˆāļēāļ™āļŠāđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ” āļ–āļ·āļ­āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļ­āļšāļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļāļŽāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒ āđ€āļ§āđ‰āļ™āđāļ•āđˆāļāļŽāļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļˆāļ°āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđ„āļ§āđ‰āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™ āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢāļāđ‡āļ•āļēāļĄ āđƒāļ™āļāļĢāļ“āļĩāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāļĒāļąāļ‡āļĄāļīāđ„āļ”āđ‰āļĄāļĩāļĄāļ•āļīāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļ•āļēāļĄāļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļē 19 āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāļ•āļēāļĄāļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļāļēāļ™āļ­āļ·āđˆāļ™āđƒāļ”āļ—āļĩāđˆāļĄāļĩāļāļēāļĢāđƒāļŠāđ‰āļ‡āļēāļ™āļāļąāļ™āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđāļžāļĢāđˆāļŦāļĨāļēāļĒāđ„āļ›āļžāļĨāļēāļ‡āļāđˆāļ­āļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰

Competent (regulatory) authority under the Act
The Council of Ministers is responsible to ensure that State Agencies offer a digital communication channel of a high standard, specifying information and communication technology standards and methods to be implemented and used consistently and connectedly.

The Department of Comptroller General has the duty to take action to facilitate efficient digital communication between a state agency or state officials and any other subjects as prescribed by the regulation (other state agencies or state officials, the general public) in Section 15.

āļœāļđāđ‰āļĄāļĩāļ­āļģāļ™āļēāļˆ (āļāļģāļāļąāļšāļ”āļđāđāļĨ) āļ āļēāļĒāđƒāļ•āđ‰āļžāļĢāļ°āļĢāļēāļŠāļšāļąāļāļāļąāļ•āļī
āļ„āļ“āļ°āļĢāļąāļāļĄāļ™āļ•āļĢāļĩāļĄāļĩāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāļ§āđˆāļēāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ™āļģāđ€āļŠāļ™āļ­āļŠāđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļ—āļĩāđˆāļĄāļĩāļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļāļēāļ™āļŠāļđāļ‡ āđ‚āļ”āļĒāļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāđāļĨāļ°āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļāļēāļ™āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļđāļĨāļ”āđ‰āļēāļ™āđ€āļ—āļ„āđ‚āļ™āđ‚āļĨāļĒāļĩāļŠāļēāļĢāļŠāļ™āđ€āļ—āļĻāđāļĨāļ°āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļŠāļēāļĢāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļŠāđ‰āđāļĨāļ°āļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļīāđƒāļŦāđ‰āļŠāļ­āļ”āļ„āļĨāđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļāļąāļ™āđāļĨāļ°āđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļĄāđ‚āļĒāļ‡āļ–āļķāļ‡āļāļąāļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰

āļāļĢāļĄāļšāļąāļāļŠāļĩāļāļĨāļēāļ‡āļĄāļĩāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ­āļģāļ™āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļ°āļ”āļ§āļāđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ”āļģāđ€āļ™āļīāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļīāļ”āļ•āđˆāļ­āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ§āļīāļ˜āļĩāļāļēāļĢāļ—āļēāļ‡āļ­āļīāđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ—āļĢāļ­āļ™āļīāļāļŠāđŒāļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļāļąāļ™ āļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļ āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļĢāļ°āļŦāļ§āđˆāļēāļ‡āļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļēāļŠāļ™āļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ‡āļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļāđƒāļ™āļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āļāļąāļšāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āļ­āļģāļ™āļēāļˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđ€āļˆāđ‰āļēāļŦāļ™āđ‰āļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĢāļąāļ

Insights on the Act on Management of State Affairs by Electronic Means (B.E. 2565) Download

The Cabinet approved increasing the minimum wage

On September 13, the Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government approved an increase of the minimum wage throughout the country by 5.02%, after unanimous agreement of the national Wage Committee, which represents employers, labor groups, and the government.

Wage increases were frozen since January 2020. Now, with inflation spiking at a 14-year high (7.61% in July) and the increase in the price of many commodities and basic products, the Ministry of Labor sought the move to curb the impact of these costs on a vast portion of the Thai population.

Starting from October 1, 2022, the minimum daily wage will be set as follows across the 77 provinces of the Kingdom, according to the GDP and cost of living in each area:

    • 354 baht per day in Chon Buri, Phuket, and Rayong
    • 353 baht per day in Bangkok Metropolis, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon
    • 345 baht per day in Chachoengsao
    • 343 baht per day in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
    • 340 baht per day in Krabi, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Trad, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachin Buri, Phang Nga, Lopburi, Songkhla, Sara Buri, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Nong Khai, and Ubon Ratchathani
    • 338 baht per day in Kalasin, Chanthaburi, Nakhon Nayok, Mukdahan, Sakhon Nakhon, and Samut Songkram
    • 335 baht per day in Kanchanaburi, Chai Nat, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Sawan, Bung Kan, Buriram, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Phayao, Phattalung, Phetchaburi, Phitsanuloke, Phetchabun, Yasothon, Roi-et, Loei, Sra Kaew, Surin, Ang Thong, and Uttaradit
    • 332 baht per day in Khamphang Phet, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Trang, Tak, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phichit, Phrae, Maha Sarakham, Mae Hong Son, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Sri Sa Ket, Satun, Sing Buri, Sukhothai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Amnat Charoen, and Uthai Thani
    • 328 baht per day in Narathiwat, Nan, Pattani, Yala, and Udon Thani

The Wage Committee Notification also specifies that a working day should not exceed seven (7) hours of work, for works that may be hazardous to the health and safety of the employees , and eight (8) hours of work, for all other works.

In this context, it is useful to mention that failure to comply with the requirements under these subordinate regulations may, apart from the administrative penalties, lead to the imposition of other penalties on natural or juristic persons, including:

In case of any inquiries on employment law and minimum wage regulation, we invite you to contact us at law@ilct.co.th for clarifications and legal advice.

The Cabinet approved increasing the minimum wage Download

The Personal Data Protection Committee issues notifications regarding enforcement of the PDPA and its penalties

On June 20, 2022, the Personal Data Protection Committee announced the four notifications regarding the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) (PDPA). The intention of the notifications is to avoid the creation of a too large burden to small and medium size businesses and also lays down rules for execution of the Act.

Following, a summary of the notifications:

    • the Notification of the PDPC Re: Rules and Procedures for the Preparation and Maintenance of the Record of Processing Activities by the Data Processor B.E. 2565 (2022), which grants 180-day grace period and thus will be effective by the end of the year, establishes guidelines for Data Processors to create, organize and maintain the records of their activities concerning data processing;
    • the Notification of the PDPC Re: Exemption to the Record of Processing Activities Requirement for Data Controllers that Are Small Businesses B.E. 2565 (2022) provides an exemption from recording the data processing activities as prescribed by the PDPA and it applies to small and medium size enterprises (defined as) companies in the manufacturing industry having no more than 200 employees or less than THB 500 million in annual revenue; and b) companies operating in the service or trading sectors having no more than 100 employees or less than THB 300 million in annual revenue), as well as to community enterprises, social enterprises, cooperatives, foundations, associations, religious organizations, non-profit organizations, and household activities, except certain services and activities that are not exempted;
    • the Notification of the PDPC Re: Security Measures of the Data Controller B.E. 2565 (2022) establishes general requirements Data Controllers must put in place with regard to data security measures. In particular, it requires the data controller to make its personnel and users aware of privacy and security measures, to review the implemented security measures whenever it is necessary, or when there is a change in technology, or if a data breach incident happens, and to set security measures requirements for its data processor; and
    • the Notification of PDPC Re: Rules for the Consideration of the Imposition of Administrative Penalties by the Expert Committee B.E. 2565 (2022) is set procedure for the issuance of administrative fines to Data Controllers and Data Processors at the early stage of the PDPA enforcement. As such, administrative fines will be issued only in cases of serious or repeated violations, while in cases of non-serious violations Data Controllers and Data Processors may receive warnings and administrative orders to cease and desist from the activities in breach of the regulation.

As the Expert Committee which will be appointed under the PDPA has the power to impose the penalty as an administrative fine by taking into consideration the level of severity of non-compliance, the business size of the data controller or the data processor, or other circumstances, the Notification on the Criteria for issuing Administrative fines and orders of the Expert Committee is therefore meant to limit the consequences on SMEs which are not ready to comply, as the administrative penalties are quite severe and may apply to the data controller or the data processor, or any juristic or natural persons violating the PDPA’s provisions, in the form of a monetary fine up to five million Baht.

In this context, it is useful to mention that failure to comply with the requirements under these subordinate regulations may, apart from the administrative penalties, lead to the imposition of other penalties on natural or juristic persons, including:

    • Criminal penalties, which may apply when an offender violates a law which interferes with normal operations of society. Where there is a violation of the PDPA, criminal penalties can be imposed against the data controller if the data subject or any other person suffers any damage, its reputation is impaired, or such person becomes the subject of scorn, hatred, or humiliation, in the measure of imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to 500,000 Baht, or both. If any of these acts is performed with the intention of receiving unlawful benefits, punishment increases to imprisonment up to one year, or a fine up to one million Baht, or both. Criminal penalties can also be brought against other persons who perform duties relating to personal data protection according to the PDPA, in the measure of imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to 500,000 Baht, or both;
    • Civil penalties, which may be enforced when the data controller or the data processor who holds the personal data of the data subject causes damages to the latter as a consequence of their failure to comply with the PDPA, either intentionally or negligently. The data subject can claim actual compensation from the data controller or the data processor for such damage, including all actual expenses spent by the data subject to prevent or suppress such damage. In addition, the court shall also sentence the data controller or data processor to pay punitive damages to the data subject not exceeding twice the amount of the actual compensation proved.

According to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society, another four subordinate regulations are expected to be issued soon.

For any inquiries related to PDPA compliance and related secondary regulations, we invite you to contact ILCT Ltd. via email at law@ilct.co.th.

The Personal Data Protection Committee issues notifications regarding enforcement of the PDPA and its penalties Download

Foreign actors to be exempt from paying Personal Income Tax in Thailand

On June 21, 2022, the Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government has decided to exempt the Personal Income Tax (PIT) collection from foreign actors when working on films shot in Thailand in the next five years, with the expectation of increasing the revenue in Thailand, publicizing and promoting the image of Thailand through foreign films, and developing the skills and potential of personnel in Thai film industries.

In general, foreign actors or actresses shall be liable to pay PIT in Thailand on income derived from shooting films in the Kingdom. The said income may be exempted from PIT under the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between Thailand and the foreign country in which the foreign actor has its tax residency.

However, the new measures exempt actors and actresses from PIT under the conditions that the actor or actress is domiciled abroad, and receives an income due to his or her performance in a foreign film produced by a company or juristic partnership incorporated under foreign law which obtains a filmmaking permit under the law governing films and videos.

In addition, it is useful to remind that the Department of Tourism provides measures to promote foreign film shooting in the form of cash rebates at the rate of 15-20% of the expenses incurred in the country – with the ceiling being fixed at 75 million baht – when the funds are obtained from foreign sources and paid to Thai individuals or Thai juristic persons.

For any inquiries related to regulation on movie production in Thailand or taxation regulation, please contact ILCT Ltd. via email at law@ilct.co.th.

 

Foreign actors to be exempt from paying Personal Income Tax in Thailand Download

Cabinet approves long-term visas to attract high-potential foreigners

In an attempt to attract ‘high-potential’ foreigners to stay in Thailand to stimulate domestic spending and investment, on January 28, 2022, the Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government approved a long-term visa (10 years) dedicated to wealthy and highly skilled professionals, retirees, and nomad workers in the country.

The new regulations were proposed in two drafted Ministerial Announcements by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor. The plan targets four groups of high-potential foreigners:

    • Wealthy foreigners – wealthy individuals holding at least USD 1 million in assets
    • Retirees – individuals aged 50 years and older who have an annual income or stable income
    • Work-from-Thailand professionals – remote workers working for well-established overseas companies
    • High-skilled professionals – professionals or experts in targeted industries working for business entities, higher education institutions, research centers, specialized training institutions in Thailand, or Thai government agencies.

According to the Ministry of Interior’s Announcement, the regulations will provide for the long-term resident visa (LTR visa) under the conditions specified as follows.

The Long-term resident visa (LTR) can be requested for up to four family members (including spouses and children under 20). The qualifications and conditions are determined by the Board of Investment, being the designated authority to handle the application procedure.

As announced on June 16, 2022, starting from September 1, 2022, foreigners can submit a request for a qualification endorsement letter together with evidence and documents required by the Board of Investment, Royal Embassies, or Consulate Generals in foreign countries, or other channels to be determined by the Board of Investment.

The steps for applications and stipulations for the LTR Visa approval are:

    1. Register and submit an online application for a qualification endorsement letter for the LTR visa, together with all supporting documents.
    2. Within 20 working days, after the completed documents are received, applicants will be notified of the results.
    3. Qualified applicants may then proceed with applying for LTR visa issuance at the Royal Thai Embassies/the Royal Thai Consulate-Generals overseas, or Immigration Offices in Thailand, within 60 days from the issuance date of the endorsement letter. The visa will be valid for initially 5 years plus an extension for another 5 years, with the total validity period capped at 10 years.
    4. After receiving the visa, foreigners can apply for a work permit. The LTR Visa comes with the benefit of facilitation services for visa and work permit, thus, applicants who work in Thailand may collect digital work permits at the Department of Employment at the One Stop Service Centre for Visa and Work Permit, Chamchuri Square Building, Bangkok, or provincial labour offices. The processing fee is 3,000THB per annum to maintain a digital work permit.
    5. Foreigners applying for a work permit are allowed to start working right after submission without having to wait for the work permit issuance itself. However, the validity of the work permit is as follows:
    • If they are employed, their work permits shall be valid for the same period as the employment contracts, but not more than 5 years starting from the issuance date of the work permit. Their work permits can be extended according to the term of their employment contract, for up to 5 years at a time.
    • Those who are self-employed can apply for the work permits for up to 5 years, and the permits can be renewed for not more than 5 years each time.

Foreigners can apply for a change in the visa type after receiving an LTR Visa, in compliance with the regulations of the Immigration Bureau.

If the foreigners fail to comply with the requirements specified for each eligible category, their LTR Visa shall be revoked.

On May 10, 2022, the Government Spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, announced that the cabinet approved a 50% reduction of the processing fee for the 10-year-visa with multiple entries, from 100,000THB to 50,000THB. The approval will be effective 90 days after the Ministry of Interior’s announcement and publication in the Government Gazette.

Other privileges that will benefit the LTR Visa holders are:

    • Exemption from the “four Thais to one foreigner” employment requirement ratio
    • Fast track service at international airports in Thailand
    • 17% personal income tax for high-skilled professionals
    • Residential Address reporting only once a year, in lieu of every 90 days.

For any inquiries related to immigration, visa requirements and related regulations, including general immigration regulations, please contact

Cabinet approves long-term visas to attract high-potential foreigners Download

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) updates the regulations to enter Thailand

Starting from July 1, 2022, the Thailand Pass registration scheme to enter Thailand will be removed.

Following, we summarize the updated conditions and requirements to enter Thailand, starting from July 1, 2022 (as provided on the TAT website).

Fully vaccinated* international travelers are only required to show proof of either a certificate of vaccination or a negative RT-PCR or professional ATK test result within 72 hours of travel. These can be in print or digital format. Random checks will be made on arrivals at Thailand’s international airports or land border checkpoints (in 22 provinces).

Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated international travelers who are randomly checked and who are unable to show proof of a pre-arrival negative test will be required to undergo a professional ATK test at the point of entry.

The 10,000US$ health insurance requirement for foreign visitors will also be removed, starting on the same date.

Please, be aware of any other immigration requirements, such as visa requirements or similar.

*Travelers are considered to be fully vaccinated after two doses of any vaccine approved for use by Thai authorities (namely Oxford/Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer /BioNTech, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Sinopharm (Beijing), and Sinovac).

VAT exemption for trading cryptocurrencies or digital tokens

On March 8, 2022, the Thai Cabinet of the Royal Thai Government has approved in principle two different sets of tax measures, as we explained in our dedicated article on Tax Relief Measures on Digital Assets and Startups.

The two draft Royal Decrees proposed by the Ministry of Finance exempt the following from VAT:

  • the transfer of cryptocurrencies or digital tokens (Digital Assets) in the digital asset exchanges approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand and the Minister of Finance; and
  • the transfer of cryptocurrencies (Retail Central Bank Digital Currency or Retail CBDC) issued by the Bank of Thailand under the Cryptocurrency development and testing project for public use.

A new decree promoting digital asset investments in Thailand has just come into force. The Government has formally introduced a (VAT) exemption for transfers of digital assets made on digital asset exchanges. This was enacted by two royal decrees which were published in the government gazette on May 24, 2022, as follows:

    1. The Royal Decree issued under the Revenue Code Re: VAT exemption (No. 744) B.E. 2565 (2022), which rules that the trading of digital assets on digital asset exchanges shall be exempt from VAT; and
    2. The Royal Decree issued under the Revenue Code Re: VAT exemption (No. 745) B.E. 2565 (2022) which rules that trading in Thailand’s Retail CBDC issued by the Bank of Thailand under the Cryptocurrency development and testing project for public use shall be exempt from VAT.

The VAT exemptions under both royal decrees shall apply to transactions that occurred from April 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023.

For any inquiries related to taxation on digital asset businesses or digital assets and related regulations, including Startup and investments regulation, please contact ILCT Ltd. via email at law@ilct.co.th

Evolution of the Thai regulatory regime on hemp and cannabis, for business opportunities

Commercial opportunities open up, as, from June 9, 2022, cultivation of cannabis and hemp plants will be partially decriminalized in Thailand.

The Thai law defines Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Indica as “cannabis“, and Cannabis sativa L. subsp. Sativa having no more than 1.0 % THC by dry weight in its leaves and inflorescence as “hemp“. The Narcotic Actof 1979classified cannabis and hemp as category 5 narcotics, whichmeant all activities related to the plants were strictlyregulated by the Act.

Currently, the extent to which the production and use of cannabis, hemp, and related products are legal or not is a topic of great debate and concern in the country. In fact, in 2019, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalize the medical use of substances listed as category 5 narcotics, with Amendment (No. 7) of the Narcotics Act B.E. 2522 (1979) giving the Narcotics Control Committee the duty to advise the Ministry of Public Health whether to issue the appropriate license to produce, dispose of, import, export or possess the substances.

Following the delisting, a series of implementing regulations were issued to allow applications for the license to produce, dispose of, and processing of the materials for specified purposes only and under strict official control, namely:

  1. for the purposes of implementing the objectives of Stateagencies, except for the purposes under items 2 to 6below, in which cases the State agency shall apply for alicense according to their intended purposes;
  2. for utilization of fibers in accordance with tradition and culture, and only for use within the family, provided that each family is allowed to have not more than one rai [2 Â― rai = 1 acre] of the cultivated land;
  3. for commercial or industrial purposes;
  4. for medical purposes:
  5. for the purposes of study, test, research, or propagation;
  6. for the purposes of producing certified seeds.

Applicants for the license must meet these very strict qualifications, and private entities or group of farmers are only eligible for a cannabis license if they operate jointly with a state agency.

Based on the new Narcotic Code that came into force at the end of 2021, the Notification RE Naming Category V Narcotics has iust been issued and will come into force on the 9 June 2022, once again defining extracts from all parts of the cannabis genus plants containing THC not exceeding 0.2% by weight, which are permitted to be extracted from cannabis or hemp planted within the country, and designating extracts from cannabis or hemp seeds planted within the country as an exception not regarded as Category V Narcotics. Thus, from 9 June 2022, hemp/cannabis extracts containing THC not exceeding 0.2% by weight will be delisted from narcotics List 5 according to the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health. As a result, the public is allowed grow hemp/cannabis plants at home, but the products cannot be used for commercial purposes without additional licenses. The Deputy Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration also added that those interested in importing the above-mentioned substances would have to seek permission in accordance with the Plant Propagation Act B.E. 2518 and the Plant Quarantine Act, B.E. 2507, if it is an extract imported from abroad, it is classified as a dangerous drug.

At the same time, a new separate draft bill providing details on the legal use of cannabis, including its production and commercial use, and guidelines on recreational use, was recently presented to the Parliament for its review and approval.

Ms. Mananya Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, revealed since the latest notification of the Minister of Public Health, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperatives has been preparing to issue and implement all regulatory and practical measures to support the farmers with this opportunity. In particular, the Department of Agriculture has the power to curb the free import of seeds and inflorescences of cannabis genus from abroad, according to the Plant Quarantine Act (1964). Moreover, the Department is also drafting agricultural standards and good agricultural practices for cannabis, hemp and kratom as guidelines for planting, protecting, harvesting, and post-harvesting, aimed at raising the quality of cannabis and hemp plants to international standards.

As of now, the regulation for the processing and commercialization of cannabis and hemp components, by-products and end-products is still under review, and it is unclear whether and when the country will see a complete legalization of cannabis and hemp.

You can contact ILCT for further clarifications on the issue and potential opportunities. Meanwhile, we will follow up and report on any further legal development.

 

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