The government is accelerating plans to overhaul more than 100 laws identified by the private sector as obstacles to doing business, with reforms aimed at lowering costs and strengthening Thailand’s competitiveness.
Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, who oversees legal affairs, said on Friday that the government has begun working with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) to review regulations that hinder business operations and economic growth.
Mr Pakorn said business groups have so far proposed amendments to more than 100 laws and regulations, with most recommendations coming from the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Authorities are now categorising the proposals to determine which laws have the greatest impact on the economy and the country’s competitiveness, he said.
Rather than pursuing a lengthy master plan, the government will focus on targeted reforms that can be implemented quickly. Businesses have been asked to clearly identify problematic provisions and propose specific wording changes to streamline the amendment process.
Once draft revisions are prepared, they will be opened for public consultation before being submitted to the cabinet. The relevant agencies will then be tasked with carrying out the amendments under existing legislative procedures.
Priority would be given to reforms capable of delivering tangible benefits to businesses in the shortest possible time. The government is expected to focus on sectors deemed crucial to Thailand’s competitiveness, particularly tourism and manufacturing, where business operators have repeatedly cited high operating costs as a major challenge.
A tracking system has also been established to allow businesses to submit proposals and monitor progress on individual issues.
However, Mr Pakorn acknowledged that legal reform alone would not resolve all competitiveness concerns.
“Originally, we expected the process to take around two months. Significant progress has already been made and we expect a much clearer picture within the next one to two months,” he said.
“We have to move quickly. … The country needs changes that people can see and feel.”
He noted that Thailand also faces structural cost challenges, particularly high energy prices, which affect virtually every sector of the economy. Without tackling these structural issues alongside regulatory reform, legal changes alone may not be enough to improve competitiveness.
