EFTA - Thailand FTA (2025)
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Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure : -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to any activity related to fishery except for the measure in sub-sectors below:

- culture of tuna in deep sea cage: Foreign equity participation must not exceed 49% of registered capital of a business in the culturing of tuna in deep sea cage; and

- indigenous breeding of spiny lobsters; Panulirus versicolor, P. homarus, P. ornatus, P. longipes, P. penicilatus, and P. polyphagus: Foreign equity participation must not exceed 49% of registered capital of a business in the indigenous breeding of spiny lobsters: Panulirus versicolor, P. homarus, P. ornatus, P. longipes, P. penicilatus, and P. polyphagus.

3. Sector : Forestry

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure : -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to any activity related to forest plantation and the forest industry.

4. Sector : Mining and Quarrying, and Energy

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to any activity related to mining and quarrying, and energy except for the measure in sub-sectors below:

- marble mining: Foreign equity participation must not exceed 49% of registered capital of a business in marble mining and is subject to government concession; and

- oil and gas related extraction: Foreign equity participation must not exceed 49% of registered capital of a business in oil and gas related extraction and is subject to government concession.

5. Sector : Manufacturing

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure : -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to any activities related to the manufacturing, except for the measure in sub-sectors below:

A foreigner (2) is allowed to obtain up to 100% of registered capital in:

- Processing and preserving of fish and fish products (ISIC 1512);

- Manufacture of dairy products (ISIC 1520);

- Manufacture of prepared animal feeds (ISIC 1533);

- Manufacture of bakery products (ISIC 1541);

- Manufacture of cocoa, chocolate and sugar confectionery (ISIC 1543);

- Manufacture of macaroni (part of ISIC 1544);

- Manufacture of other food product n.e.c. (ISIC 1549);

- Manufacture of soft drinks; production of mineral waters (ISIC 1554);

- Manufacture of preparation and spinning of textile fibers; weaving of textiles (ISIC 1711), except any activity relating to production, weaving or printing of Thai silk;

- Manufacture of finishing textiles (ISIC 1712), except any activity relating to production, weaving or printing of Thai silk;

- Manufacture of luggage, handbags and the like, saddlery and harness (ISIC 1912);

- Manufacture of basic chemicals, except fertilizers and nitrogen compounds (ISIC 2411);

- Manufacture of fertilizers and nitrogen compounds (ISIC 2412);

- Manufacture of soap and detergents, cleaning and polishing preparations, perfumes and toilet preparations (ISIC 2424);

- Manufacture of man-made fibres (ISIC 2430);

- Manufacture of rubber types and tube; retreading and rebuilding of rubber types (ISIC 2511);

- Manufacture of other rubber products (ISIC 2519);

- Manufacture of plastics products (ISIC 2520);

- Manufacture of printed circuit boards (part of ISIC Rev. 4 – 2610; Manufacture of electronic components and boards);

- Manufacture of engines and turbines, except aircraft, vehicle and cycle engines (ISIC 2911);

- Manufacture of pumps, compressors, taps and valves (ISIC 2912);

- Manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing and driving elements (ISIC 2913);

- Manufacture of ovens, furnaces and furnaces burners (ISIC 2914);

- Manufacture of lifting and handling equipment (ISIC 2915);

- Manufacture of other general purpose machinery (ISIC 2919);

- Manufacture of agricultural machinery (part of ISIC 2921);

- Manufacture of machine-tools (ISIC 2922);

- Manufacture of machinery for metallurgy (ISIC 2923);

- Manufacture of machinery for mining, quarrying and construction (ISIC 2924);

- Manufacture of machinery for food, beverage and tobacco processing (ISIC 2925);

- Manufacture of machinery for textile, apparel and leather production (ISIC 2926);

- Manufacture of domestic appliances (ISIC 2930);

- Manufacture of office, accounting and computing machinery (ISIC 3000);

- Manufacture of peripheral units (Parts of ISIC 3000 Manufacture of office, accounting and computing machinery);

- Manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformers (ISIC3110);

- Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus (ISIC 3120);

- Manufacture of insulated wire and cable (ISIC 3130);

- Manufacture of accumulators, primary cells and primary batteries (ISIC 3140);

- Manufacture of electric lamps and lighting equipment (ISIC 3150);

- Manufacture of other electrical equipment n.e.c. (ISIC 3190);

- Manufacture of television and radio receivers, sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus, and associated goods (ISIC 3230);

- Manufacture of medical and surgical equipment and orthopaedic appliances (ISIC 3311);

- Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, checking, testing, navigating and other purposes, except industrial process control equipment (ISIC 3312);

- Manufacture of industrial process control equipment (ISIC 3313);

- Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment (ISIC 3320);

- Manufacture of watches and clocks (ISIC 3330);

- Manufacture of motor vehicle (ISIC 3410);

- Manufacture of bodies (coachwork) for motor vehicle; manufacture of trailers and semi-trailers (ISIC 3420)

- Manufacture of parts and accessories for motor vehicles and their engines (ISIC 3430);

- Building and repairing of ships (ISIC3511);

- Building and repairing of pleasure and sporting boats (ISIC3512);

- Manufacture of railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock (ISIC 3520);

- Manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft (ISIC 3530);

- Manufacture of motorcycles (ISIC3591);

- Manufacture of bicycles and invalid carriages (ISIC3592);

- Manufacture of other transport equipment n.e.c. (ISIC 3599);

- Manufacture of furniture (ISIC 3610), except product of wood carving furniture;

- Manufacture of sports goods (ISIC3693);

- Manufacture of electric LED lamps and lightings;

- Manufacture of green food packaging.

(2) For the purposes of this entry, the definition of “foreigner” shall be in accordance with the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), as amended.

6. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to sectors, sub-sectors, industries, products, or activities not classified explicitly in ISIC Revision 3 at the time of submission of this Appendix.

7. Sector : All Sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: The Land Code.

Civil and Commercial Code.

Hire of Immovable Property for Commerce and Industry Act B.E. 2542 (1999), as amended.

Agricultural Land Reform Act B.E. 2518 (1975), as amended.

Land Lease for Agriculture Act (No. 2) B.E. 2559 (2016), as amended.

Act Promulgating the Land Code B.E. 2497 (1954), as amended.

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act B.E. 2552 (1979), as amended.

Eastern Economic Corridor Act B.E. 2561 (2018), as amended.

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure in relation to acquisition or usage of land in Thailand, including the development or usage of land or the type of activities which may be conducted on land in accordance with its land zoning, land usage, urban planning, and development control.

A foreign national or a domestic company which is deemed foreigner (3) is not allowed to purchase or own land in Thailand.

(3) For the purposes of this entry, the definition of “foreigner” shall be in accordance with the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), as amended.

8. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: Exchange Control Act B.E. 2485 (1942), as amended.

Bank of Thailand Act B.E. 2485 (1942), as amended.

Regulations, Circulars and Guidelines.

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure regarding foreign exchange transactions relating to Thai Baht by nonresident and any measure  regarding transactions in Thai Baht and holdings of Thai Baht by non-resident, for the prevention of Thai Baht speculation.

9. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act B.E. 2543 (2000) and as amended B.E. 2561(2018), as amended, and its Ministerial regulations, subsidiary legislations, and announcements.

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to small and medium enterprises, minority person, or disadvantaged person.

10. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or authority of the measure: Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations.

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to a foreigner (4) pursuant to the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations.

For illustrative purposes, such measures may include:

- Criteria and conditions for granting permission to operate business in Thailand;

- Requirements on the minimum capital;

- Requirements on the ratio of the capital to loans;

- Requirements on the number of foreign directors who must have a domicile or residence in Thailand.

(4) For the purposes of this entry, the definition of “foreigner” shall be found in accordance with the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (1999).

11. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or authority of the measure: Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations.

National Competitiveness Enhancement for the Targeted Industries Act B.E. 2560 (2017), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations.

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure under the Investment Promotion Act B.E. 2520 (1977), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations and the National Competitiveness Enhancement for the Targeted Industries Act B.E. 2560 (2017), as amended, and its subsidiary legislations.

12. Sector : All sectors

Sub-sector : -

Level of Government : All levels

Legal Source or Authority of the Measure: -

Description of the Measure: Thailand reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with respect to:

1. devolution to the private sector of any investment in the exercise of government authority at the entry into force of the Agreement for Thailand;

2. the privatisation of an entity or asset owned wholly or partially by the government; and

3. divestment of an asset through transfer or disposal of equity interests or assets owned wholly or partially by the government.

  • Chapter   1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 1
  • Article   1.1 Objectives 1
  • Article   1.2 Geographical Scope 1
  • Article   1.3 Trade and Economic Relations Governed by this Agreement 1
  • Article   1.4 Relation to other International Agreements 1
  • Article   1.5 Fulfilment of Obligations 1
  • Article   1.6 Transparency and Confidential Information 1
  • Chapter   2 TRADE IN GOODS 1
  • Article   2.1 Scope 1
  • Article   2.2 Customs Duties on Imports 1
  • Article   2.4 Rules of Origin and Administrative Cooperation 1
  • Article   2.5 Customs Valuation (1) 1
  • Article   2.6 Classification of Goods and Transposition of Schedules 1
  • Article   2.7 Import Licensing 1
  • Article   2.8 Quantitative Restrictions 1
  • Article   2.9 Fees and Formalities 1
  • Article   2.10 National Treatment on Internal Taxation and Regulations 1
  • Article   2.11 Trade Facilitation 1
  • Article   2.12 WTO Agreement on Agriculture 1
  • Article   2.13 Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 1
  • Article   2.14 Anti-dumping 1
  • Article   2.15 Global Safeguard Measures 1
  • Article   2.16 Bilateral Safeguard Measures 1
  • Article   2.17 State Trading Enterprises 1
  • Article   2.18 General Exceptions 1
  • Article   2.19 Security Exceptions 1
  • Article   2.20 Balance-of-Payments 1
  • Article   2.21 Preference Utilisation 1
  • Article   2 Sub-Committee on Trade In Goods 2
  • Chapter   3 TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE 2
  • Article   3.1 Incorporation of the TBT Agreement 2
  • Article   3.2 Scope 2
  • Article   3.3 Objectives 2
  • Article   3.4 International Standards, Guides and Recommendations 2
  • Article   3.5 Movement of Goods, Border Control and Market Surveillance 2
  • Article   3.6 Conformity Assessment Procedures 2
  • Article   3.7 Cooperation 2
  • Article   3.8 Consultations 2
  • Article   3.9 Review 2
  • Article   3.10 Contact Points 2
  • Chapter   4 SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 2
  • Article   4.1 General Provision 2
  • Article   4.2 Definitions 2
  • Article   4.3 Scope 2
  • Article   4.4 Objectives 2
  • Article   4.5 Audit, Inspection and Certification 2
  • Article   4.6 Certificates 2
  • Article   4.7 Cooperation 2
  • Article   4.8 Movement of Goods 2
  • Article   4.9 Import Checks 2
  • Article   4.10 Technical Consultations 2
  • Article   4.11 Review 2
  • Article   4.12 Contact Points and Competent Authorities 2
  • Chapter   5 TRADE IN SERVICES 2
  • Article   5.1 Scope and Coverage 2
  • Article   5.2 Definitions 2
  • Article   5.3 Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment 3
  • Article   5.4 Market Access 3
  • Article   5.5 National Treatment 3
  • Article   5.6 Additional Commitments 3
  • Article   5.7 Domestic Regulation 3
  • Article   5.8 Recognition 3
  • Article   5.9 Movement of Natural Persons 3
  • Article   5.10 Transparency 3
  • Article   5.11 Monopolies and Exclusive Service Suppliers 3
  • Article   5.12 Business Practices 3
  • Article   5.13 Payments and Transfers 3
  • Article   5.14 Restrictions to Safeguard the Balance of Payments 3
  • Article   5.15 Subsidies 3
  • Article   5.16 General Exceptions 3
  • Article   5.17 Security Exceptions 3
  • Article   5.18 Schedules of Specific Commitments 3
  • Article   5.19 Modification of Schedules 3
  • Article   5.20 Review 3
  • Article   5.21 Annexes 3
  • Chapter   6 INVESTMENT 3
  • Article   6.1 Scope and Coverage 3
  • Article   6.2 Definitions 3
  • Article   6.3 National Treatment 3
  • Article   6.4 Reservations 4
  • Article   6.5 Key Personnel 4
  • Article   6.6 Right to Regulate 4
  • Article   6.7 Payments and Transfers 4
  • Article   6.8 Restrictions to Safeguard the Balance of Payments 4
  • Article   6.9 Consultations on Subsidies 4
  • Article   6.10 General Exceptions 4
  • Article   6.11 Security Exceptions 4
  • Article   6.12 Review 4
  • Article   6.13 Promotion of Investment 4
  • Article   6.14 Facilitation of Investment 4
  • Chapter   7 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 4
  • Article   7.1 Protection of Intellectual Property 4
  • Chapter   8 GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT 4
  • Article   8.1 Objectives 4
  • Article   8.2 Scope 4
  • Article   8.3 Principles 4
  • Article   8.4 Transparency 4
  • Article   8.5 Use of Electronics Means 4
  • Article   8.6 Environmentally Sustainable Procurement 4
  • Article   8.7 Facilitation of Participation by SMEs 4
  • Article   8.8 Cooperation 4
  • Article   8.9 Further Negotiations 4
  • Article   8.10 Review 4
  • Article   8.11 Contact Points 4
  • Chapter   9 COMPETITION 4
  • Article   9.1 Rules of Competition 4
  • Article   9.2 Cooperation 4
  • Article   9.3 Consultations 4
  • Article   9.4 Dispute Settlement 4
  • Chapter   10 TRADE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4
  • Article   10.1 Context, Objectives and Scope 4
  • Article   10.2 Right to Regulate and Levels of Protection 4
  • Article   10.3 Upholding Levels of Protection In the Application and Enforcement of Laws, Regulations or Standards 4
  • Article   10.4 International Labour Standards and Agreements 4
  • Article   10.5 Inclusive Economic Development and Equal Opportunities for All 4
  • Article   10.6 Multilateral Environmental Agreements and International Environmental Governance 4
  • Article   10.7 Sustainable Forest Management and Associated Trade 4
  • Article   10.8 Trade and Climate Change 5
  • Article   10.9 Trade and Biological Diversity 5
  • Article   10.10 Trade and Sustainable Management of Fisheries and Aquaculture 5
  • Article   10.11 Trade and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 5
  • Article   10.12 Promotion of Trade and Investment Favouring Sustainable Development 5
  • Article   10.13 Responsible Business Conduct 5
  • Article   10.14 Cooperation 5
  • Article   10.15 Implementation and Consultations 5
  • Article   10.16 Panel of Experts 5
  • Article   10.17 Review 5
  • Chapter   11 SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES 5
  • Article   11.1 General Provisions 5
  • Article   11.2 Information Sharing 5
  • Article   11.3 SMEs Contact Points and Cooperation 5
  • Article   11.4 Non-Application of Dispute Settlement 5
  • Chapter   12 TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING 5
  • Article   12.1 Objectives and Scope 5
  • Article   12.2 Methods and Means 5
  • Article   12.3 Fields of Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building 5
  • Article   12.4 Contact Points 5
  • Article   12.5 Non-Application of Dispute Settlement 5
  • Chapter   13 INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS 5
  • Article   13.1 Joint Committee 5
  • Article   13.2 Contact Points 6
  • Chapter   14 DISPUTE SETTLEMENT 6
  • Article   14.1 Scope and Coverage 6
  • Article   14.2 Good Offices, Conciliation or Mediation 6
  • Article   14.3 Consultations 6
  • Article   14.4 Establishment of Arbitration Panel 6
  • Article   14.5 Third Parties 6
  • Article   14.6 Terms of Reference 6
  • Article   14.7 Procedures of the Arbitration Panel 6
  • Article   14.8 Panel Reports 6
  • Article   14.9 Suspension or Termination of Arbitration Panel Proceedings 6
  • Article   14.10 Implementation of the Final Panel Report 6
  • Article   14.11 Compensation and Suspension of Concessions or other Obligations 6
  • Article   14.12 Time Periods 6
  • Article   14.13 Costs 6
  • Chapter   15 FINAL PROVISIONS 6
  • Article   15.1 Annexes, Appendices and Footnotes 6
  • Article   15.2 Amendments 6
  • Article   15.3 Accession 6
  • Article   15.4 Withdrawal and Expiration 6
  • Article   15.5 Entry Into Force 6
  • Article   15.6 Depositary 6
  • ANNEX XVI  REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 6.3. INVESTMENT RESERVATIONS 6
  • APPENDIX 1 TO ANNEX XVI  RESERVATIONS BY THAILAND 6
  • APPENDIX 2 TO ANNEX XVI  RESERVATIONS BY ICELAND 8
  • APPENDIX 3 TO ANNEX XVI  RESERVATIONS BY LIECHTENSTEIN 8
  • APPENDIX 4 TO ANNEX XVI  RESERVATIONS BY NORWAY 8
  • APPENDIX 5 TO ANNEX XVI  RESERVATIONS BY SWITZERLAND 9