Bangkok: Academics from Thammasat University support the initiative to collect import taxes on online products starting from the first baht to create fairness for Thai SMEs.
According to Thai News Agency, the academics praised the Customs Department's decision to impose import taxes on every item sold through e-commerce platforms, beginning from the first baht. They view it as a positive measure to level the playing field for Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and suggested implementing the Customs Quick Big Win, which leverages digital technology to refine customs regulations, reduce discretion, expedite processes, and boost confidence.
Assistant Professor Dr. Kiatanan Luankaew, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Thammasat University, disclosed that the Customs Department plans to enforce this tax on e-commerce purchases starting January 1, 2026. Previously, Thailand exempted import duties and value-added tax (VAT) on goods valued under 1,500 baht, which domestic SMEs claimed was unfair. Dr. Kiatanan sees this new policy as a commendable step, though acknowledging that taxation alone cannot entirely solve the problem. He notes that consumers are drawn to foreign goods due to price, value, and quality, suggesting that tax measures address just one aspect of a broader issue.
The new tax could affect Thai e-commerce platform operators who distribute imported goods. Dr. Kiatanan recommends that the government help these operators pivot by using local materials and building their brands. He warns that foreign platform owners might pass tax burdens to SMEs. To tackle the root of the issue, he suggests encouraging consumers to buy Thai products by enhancing their quality and supporting Thai entrepreneurs in managing costs efficiently.
Dr. Kiatanan also highlighted concerns about the potential rise in smuggling, where large quantities of goods might enter undetected and be stored in Thailand, urging the Customs Department to address this issue. Additionally, the department is fast-tracking the Customs Quick Big Win policy to deliver tangible results swiftly, focusing on removing trade obstacles and expediting over 1,000 appeals through more frequent Appeals Committee meetings.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating digital technology into the customs review process to minimize human discretion, thereby speeding up the process and building trust. Even with transparent and fair reviews, human discretion can lead to dissatisfaction, so resolving this could mark a true Customs Quick Big Win, according to Dr. Kiatanan.