Two notifications on the cross-border transfer of personal data, issued by Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC), came into effect on March 24, 2024. These notifications, which we detailed in a previous update, set out the criteria governing the cross-border transfer of personal data offshore, specifically focusing on situations where appropriate personal data protection standards are in place. Of particular importance is the role of binding corporate rules (BCRs) in enabling the cross-border transfer of personal data among affiliated businesses or within the same group of undertakings. The implementation of BCRs requires a comprehensive review and approval process by the Office of the PDPC, strictly in accordance with the criteria set out in one of the two notifications. With the notifications now fully enforceable, the Office of the PDPC has begun accepting BCRs for review. Data controllers and data processors intending to adopt BCRs as a means for transferring data to offshore affiliates or group companies must initiate the BCR submission process promptly. Failure to comply with PDPA requirements concerning the cross-border transfer of personal data could result in substantial penalties. Organizations involved in cross-border personal data transfers should be proactive in complying with the prescribed criteria to avoid these regulatory penalties and maintain the data protection standards mandated by the PDPA. For more information on these cross-border personal data transfer regulations, or on any aspect of complying with Thailand’s data protection laws, please contact Nopparat Lalitkomon at [email protected], Gvavalin Mahakunkitchareon at [email protected], or Wilin Somya at [email protected].

Thailand has made its draft Platform Economy Act (the “Draft PEA”) available to relevant entities in certain industries. The Draft PEA aims to regulate and standardize digital platform service business operations and protect consumers and other stakeholders. Once the Draft PEA becomes law, the Royal Decree on the Operation of Digital Platform Service Businesses that are subject to Prior Notification B.E. 2565 (2022) and the relevant provisions under the Electronic Transactions Act B.E. 2544 (2001), as amended, will cease to have effect. The key provisions of the Draft PEA are summarized below. Definitions The definitions of the key terms under the Draft PEA are substantially similar to the definitions of the key terms under the royal decree mentioned above. According to the Draft PEA, “digital platform services” refers to the provision of electronic intermediary services that manage data to facilitate connection, through computer networks, between business users, consumers, or users, regardless of whether remuneration is charged. Exemption The Draft PEA does not apply to digital platform services (DPSs) that are regulated by specific laws and have rules guaranteeing transparency and fairness, or that follow operational standards no less stringent than those required in the Draft PEA. Nonetheless, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) can request or link data relating to exempted DPSs from the relevant supervisory authorities. Extraterritorial Effect Offshore DPSs with certain characteristics are also subject to the obligations under the Draft PEA and will have to appoint a coordinating person in Thailand. However, offshore DPSs will not have to establish a business in Thailand. General Responsibilities and Obligations The Draft PEA sets out the following requirements: DPSs with (1) at least THB 100 million (approx. USD 2.8 million) in annual revenue from providing the DPSs in Thailand before deducting expenses, or (2) more than 10,000 monthly users

Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act came into full effect on 1 June 2022 and various subordinate regulations have since been issued by the Personal Data Protection Committee. These include regulations on security measures to be implemented by data controllers, data breach notification requirements, a mandatory obligation to appoint a data protection officer when the processing activity requires regular monitoring of personal data or a system due to the large scale of personal data, administrative measures and data processors’ record of processing activities. As some areas under the PDPA still require further clarifications, a series of public consultations for the remaining draft subordinate regulations is anticipated in 2024. Potential areas include data protection impact assessments and cross-border transfers of personal data, which are crucial for organizations and particularly for entities with establishments in other jurisdictions. PDPA enforcement by Thai regulators was silent until the last quarter of 2023, when the PDPC published details about complaints that have been lodged to the Expert Committee. The committee is designated by virtue of the PDPA and has the power to make determinations related to imposing administrative fines and other penalties. Enforcement in 2024 is expected to become more active and potentially more serious, which means organizations should pay closer attention to ensure compliance with the PDPA. Similar to the GDPR, the PDPA also has extraterritorial effect. Once the subordinate regulation on international cooperation has been issued by the PDPC, this should clarify how PDPA enforcement against organizations located outside of Thailand will be conducted by Thai regulators. With respect to sector-specific data protection legislation, in September 2023, Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission issued the Notification of the NBTC Re: Measures to Protect Telecommunications Service Users’ Rights in regard to Personal Data, Privacy Rights, and Freedom of Telecommunications, which replaces the previous notification.

On December 25, 2023, Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) issued two notifications under sections 28 and 29 of the Personal Data Protection Act 2019 (PDPA) that address essential aspects and criteria for the cross-border transfer of personal data. These notifications are scheduled to come into effect on March 24, 2024. Key points in the notifications are outlined below. Adequate Data Protection Standards (Section 28) Unless otherwise provided by the PDPA, the destination country or international organization that receives the transferred personal data must have “adequate data protection standards,” as determined by the following factors: Legal measures and mechanisms. The destination country or international organization must have legal measures or mechanisms aligned with the personal data protection laws in Thailand. Specifically, the obligations of data controllers need to include providing appropriate security measures, implementing personal data protection measures that are suitable and that enable the exercise of data subjects’ rights, and establishing effective legal remedial measures. Regulatory authority. The presence of an agency or organization entrusted with the duties and authority to enforce laws and regulations related to personal data protection is also a critical factor. In addition, this notification empowers the Office of the PDPC to refer cases, either independently identified or proposed by a data controller, to the PDPC for adjudication. The PDPC retains the discretion to make decisions on a case-by-case basis or to establish a list of destination countries or international organizations that it considers to have adequate data protection standards. Binding Corporate Rules and Appropriate Safeguards (Section 29): In the realm of global data exchange, two prominent mechanisms have emerged as key enablers of secure and compliant transfer of personal data: Binding corporate rules (BCRs). Implementation of BCRs involves enforcing an approved policy for safeguarding personal data transferred among affiliated businesses or within the