The Commerce and Digital Economy and Society (DES) ministries plan to hold talks on the issue, as the prevailing rate of around 30% is too high, said DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob, reports the Bangkok Post.
GP fees include commission, payment and platform fees, while new “infrastructure fees” have been added in some cases.
Mr Chaichanok said the two ministries held talks about the fees during the brief term of the previous administration. The government plans to hold talks with major digital platform operators to seek a balanced solution for all stakeholders, he said.
Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, a list MP of the People’s Party, said the commerce ministry can use regulations from the Department of Internal Trade to address this issue, similar to what was done during the pandemic to help control expenses.
“This is a good signal from the government in terms of curbing GP fees,” he said, adding that China has measures to regulate such platforms.
“Our party will also hold discussions with platforms and industry stakeholders to address the frequent spikes and increases in fees, which have created challenges for local online merchants during these difficult times,” he said.
Mr Pawoot suggested using the new guidelines from Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) designed to regulate multi-sided platforms and e-commerce businesses, curbing platform practices that require merchants to use specific logistics providers and restrict merchants’ access to their own data on platforms.
A source from the TCCT who requested anonymity said these guidelines cannot impose a ceiling on GP fees, but they can oversee collusion in increases, adding that fee hikes must “be for a good reason”.
There is growing concern among Thai merchants, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), over rising GP fees, which many businesses say erode thin profit margins.
Mr Chaichanok said a GP rate of 30% is excessive, and a range of 10-15% would be more appropriate in supporting Thai entrepreneurs.
He noted some parties have warned against setting fees too low as platform operators need sustainable revenue models to maintain long-term business viability.
“The challenge is finding the right balance between supporting entrepreneurs, maintaining incentives for platform operators, and preserving market mechanisms,” said Mr Chaichanok.
“Excessive state intervention could distort competition and weaken private sector incentives.”
Digital platform operators have repeatedly sought meetings with the government, he said, and the authorities remain open to dialogue that produces constructive outcomes for the economy.