The Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) launched the second draft of the Climate Change Bill (“Bill”) in November 2024 for a public hearing. Some of the key revisions include provisions similar to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, adjustments made on the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and carbon tax provisions under the Bill. The Bill is expected to be submitted to Parliament for approval in 2025.
The Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) initiative, led by Japan, offers a significant opportunity for Thailand to advance its decarbonization efforts through financial support for cutting-edge technologies. By participating in JCM projects, Thai companies can obtain financial support from the Japanese government, enhancing efforts towards implementing effective greenhouse gas mitigation and removal measures, which in turn aids in achieving Thailand’s declared GHG reduction targets.
The Food and Drug Administration now allows for the referencing of medical device application dossiers and transfer of product registration licenses.
The deadline for renewing the drug product registration license is approaching. All renewals must be submitted by 12 October 2024
On 20 September 2024, the Energy Regulatory Commission issued the Regulations for the Purchase of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources under a Feed-in-Tariff Scheme Commissioning between 2022-2030 for Power Plants with No Fuel Costs B.E. 2565 (2022) (Additional) B.E. 2567 (2024), setting out the requirements, terms and conditions for private sector participation in the upcoming 2024 RE Waitlist Scheme.
On 18 June 2024, Thailand’s Senate passed the act amending the Civil and Commercial Code (“Marriage Equality Law”), taking a historic step towards marriage equality and making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage. The new law is currently awaiting royal endorsement and will come into force 120 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Companies should start reconsidering their HR rules and policies in light of the Marriage Equality Law.
The personal income tax exemption amount on severance pay for terminated employees is now increased, following the publishing of the relevant Ministerial Regulations in the Royal Gazette. On 26 June 2024, the Ministerial Regulations, Volume 394 (B.E. 2567), (2024) under the Revenue Code Regarding Revenue Tax Exemption (“Ministerial Regulation”) was published in the Royal Gazette on 17 July 2024 and has already entered into force from that date. As a result, the personal income tax exemption amount on severance pay for terminated employees is now increased to the employee’s last 400 days’ wages or THB 600,000, whichever is less.
The Cabinet has recently approved in principle the Draft Ministerial Regulation under the Revenue Code Regarding Revenue Tax to increase the personal tax exemption amount on severance pay for terminated employees, aligning with the new maximum rate of severance pay. This change is intended to further ease the financial burden on terminated employees.
The Food and Drug Administration has recently updated a number of regulations related to certain medical devices to ensure that they are carefully monitored and controlled, have prescribed quality standards, and are safe for consumers. The updated regulations relate to alcohol detecting devices, positive airway pressure devices and dentistry devices.
The Control of Items in Relation to the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee of Thailand agreed to enforce the licensing requirement for the export and re-export of dual-use items. The first pilot scheme will apply to heavy and nuclear equipment.