November 2025 A clear and strong regulatory framework oversees Thailand’s telecommunications and media industries (see https://fosrlaw.com/2024/telecommunication-licensing-in-thailand/). The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) creates national strategies for connectivity, data management, and digital transformation. Meanwhile, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications … Read More
Author Archives: John Formichella
OTT and the Definition of Television Broadcasting in Thailand
Over-the-top (OTT) services like streaming platforms are now a vital part of Thailand’s digital landscape. They play a huge role in how people enjoy media, and they’re becoming a focal point for policymakers, courts, and regulators when it comes to … Read More
Payment Processing Licenses in Thailand: Updated 2025 Overview
Payment processors and gateways are essential to Thailand’s digital economy, but operating one is highly regulated. The legal framework is based on the Payment Systems Act B.E. 2560 (2017), supported by a series of Bank of Thailand (BOT) notifications and … Read More
Thailand’s Upcoming E-Commerce Platform Regulations: What Operators Need to Prepare for
Key takeaways for platform operators: Thailand’s competition regulator is moving to formalize conduct standards for large digital platforms, with increased scrutiny of self-preferencing, tying, parity clauses, data use, and discriminatory ranking. The move aligns with global trends led by the … Read More
Thailand’s New Website Security Standards 2025: Implications for Compliance Under the Cybersecurity Act
Thailand has strengthened its national cybersecurity framework with the implementation of a Website Security Standard. The standard was officially released on September 16, 2025, and takes effect on the same day. Issued under the Cybersecurity Act B.E. 2562 (2019), this … Read More
Thailand’s 24-Hour Content Takedown Rule: Compliance Challenges for Social Media Platforms
Thailand’s digital regulations are evolving rapidly. The Notification of the Electronic Transactions Commission regarding Measures for Preventing Technology Crimes on Social Media Platform Providers was published in the Royal Gazette on July 4, 2025 (“Notification”). It establishes a strict 24-hour … Read More
Foreign Satellite Operators in Thailand: NBTC Approval and Equipment Licensing Requirements
Thailand is attracting increasing interest from global satellite companies seeking to provide connectivity services within the country. One particular operator, equipped with direct satellite-to-device capabilities, has pointed out the regulatory challenges of entering Thailand without the proper approvals. Although the … Read More
Partner-Market Partnerships: Foreign Telcos and Type I Licensing in Thailand
Thailand’s Type 1 license regime presents two contrasting stories: on one hand, the fall of many domestic retail MVNOs (see https://fosrlaw.com/2025/thailand-mvno-type-1-license-challenges/); on the other, the steady, behind-the-scenes activity of foreign operators working through partner-market agreements. Our accompanying articles help explain these different paths, showing why local MVNOs faced challenges while foreign carriers continue to use Type 1 licensing to support enterprises. … Read More
Why so few MVNOs? It’s the economics. An in-depth look at MVNOs in Thailand Under the NBTC Type 1 License?
Thailand’s telecom regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has introduced the Type 1 telecommunications license to encourage more competition among service providers, including Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). These operators, by design, don’t own their own telecommunications infrastructure … Read More
Why The NBTC Might Say No: Unraveling Thailand’s Type III License Rejections
NBTC’s Discretionary Rejections of Type III License Applications Thailand’s telecom regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has shown that meeting formal criteria on paper does not guarantee license approval. The NBTC actively exercises discretion to deny Type III … Read More
