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BCCT Advocacy Newsletter

August-October 2025 Highlights
Driving Policy, Partnership, and Progress

Dear BCCT Members and Partners,

Throughout the third quarter of 2025, the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) continued its active policy engagement with key Thai government agencies to advance trade facilitation, investment promotion, and regulatory reform. As we move into the final quarter of 2025, BCCT continues to engage across key platforms to strengthen British-Thai collaboration and drive sustainable business growth. Below are key engagements and outcomes from August through October — reflecting BCCT’s active voice across Thailand’s trade, education, sustainability, and regulatory ecosystem.

22 August 2025

Meeting with the Minister of Commerce

Advancing UK–Thailand Trade and Regulatory Modernisation

BCCT Chair Khun Pinyapa Somphong led a delegation to meet with Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, Minister of Commerce, to discuss progress on the UK–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and broader trade cooperation. With Thailand nearing conclusion of its EU FTA negotiations and pursuing several new trade deals with global partners, BCCT emphasized the strategic opportunity for both governments to move forward with a bilateral FTA.

The meeting also covered updates on Thailand’s ongoing negotiations with South Korea, Canada, EFTA, and the UAE, as well as initiatives to strengthen export diversification and SME competitiveness. BCCT reaffirmed its support for regulatory reforms under the Foreign Business Act (FBA) to simplify licensing procedures and enhance investor confidence.

👉 Next Step: BCCT will submit a policy brief on FTA readiness and regulatory reform priorities to the Ministry of Commerce and continue dialogue through the BCCT–MOC Collaboration Framework to promote UK–Thailand trade growth.

25 August 2025

Meeting with the Board of Investment (BOI)

Driving Investment Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business

BCCT representatives met with the BOI Secretary-General, Ms. Narumon Thammasathien, and senior officials to discuss measures enhancing Thailand’s investment ecosystem. Discussions focused on the rollout of the Qualified Refundable Tax Credit (QRTC) expected in 2026, the alignment of Global Minimum Tax (GMT) procedures with the Revenue Department, and updates to the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa scheme.

BCCT proposed expanding BOI’s sustainability promotion lists to include green technology, eco-friendly products, and renewable energy solutions, underscoring the Chamber’s support for sustainable and innovation-driven investment.

👉 Next Step: BCCT will work closely with BOI to monitor QRTC implementation progress, exchange feedback on LTR criteria revisions, and organize a joint workshop to discuss green investment incentives and facilitation.

26 August 2025

Meeting with the Department of Business Development (DBD)

Modernising Business Regulations under the Foreign Business Act (FBA)

The BCCT Policy Team met with the Department of Business Development (DBD) to present recommendations for modernising secondary legislation under the Foreign Business Act (FBA). Discussions centred on improving transparency, efficiency, and regulatory alignment to strengthen Thailand’s ease of doing business.

Key proposals included applying economic data and competitiveness indicators to guide liberalisation, streamlining procedures under Sections 12 and 17, and clarifying the definition of “other service businesses” to ensure predictability for foreign investors. BCCT also offered collaboration on capacity-building initiatives to share best practices in digital transformation and regulatory impact assessment.

👉 Next Step: BCCT will submit a formal policy paper to DBD outlining the proposed FBA reforms and support DBD in designing a regulatory impact training programme for officers involved in business licensing.

2 October 2025

Meeting with the Immigration Bureau

Enhancing Business Mobility and Visa Process Efficiency

The BCCT Policy Team met with the Immigration Bureau to discuss facilitation of business visa procedures, work permits, and regulatory clarity for international talent mobility. Ongoing collaboration aims to streamline processes and strengthen Thailand’s attractiveness for foreign investors and skilled professionals.

Thailand’s competitiveness increasingly depends on attracting and retaining international talent and investment. While new initiatives such as the Destination Thailand Visa and BOI Long-Term Resident (LTR) programme are steps forward, administrative hurdles — including fragmented documentation, 90-day reporting, and inconsistent e-services — continue to limit Thailand’s appeal compared to regional peers.

BCCT has proposed a set of practical reforms to modernise immigration administration while maintaining national security and fiscal safeguards. Key recommendations include:

• PR Documentation: Introduce a national PR ID card or secure digital credential.
• Reporting Reform: Replace 90-day reporting with event-based address notifications.
• Re-entry Procedures: Remove redundant non-quota re-entry requirements for PRs.
• Processing Efficiency: Publish clear timelines and implement online case tracking.

Complementary proposals cover streamlined re-entry/extension permits, improved e-service reliability, landlord-assisted reporting pilots, and a one-year Digital Nomad visa aligned with tax and social insurance regulations.

ASEAN comparisons show Thailand is moving in the right direction but needs consistent, transparent delivery to strengthen investor and talent confidence.

👉 Next Step: BCCT will hold a follow-up meeting in November with the Immigration Bureau and BOI to refine implementation priorities and pilot initiatives that enhance Thailand’s operational competitiveness.

4 October 2025

SX 2025 – Sustainability Expo Panel Discussion
Topic: “BCCT Leads the Way: Innovating for a Sustainable Future”
Hosted by: BCCT Sustainability Working Group | UK Embassy

Unveiling Eight Decades of Innovation and Sustainable Development

The BCCT Sustainability Working Group proudly joined the UK Pavilion at SX2025, celebrating eight decades of British innovation and partnership in Thailand. The session, “Unveiling Eight Decades of Innovation and Sustainable Development,” showcased the British business community’s leadership in sustainable innovation, responsible business practices, and collaborative solutions supporting Thailand’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.

Participating BCCT members — Prudential, Unilever, Easson Energy, and TWLS — presented impactful initiatives spanning green finance, renewable energy, circular manufacturing, and inclusive workforce development. Their contributions reflected how UK–Thailand collaboration continues to advance the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy and drive tangible progress toward Thailand’s sustainability and carbon neutrality goals.

Building on the momentum from SX2025, the BCCT Sustainability Working Group continues to advocate for:

• Supportive renewable energy and green finance frameworks to expand corporate and SME participation in sustainable growth.
• Circular economy incentives to promote waste reduction, recycling, and efficient resource use.
• Public–private partnerships (PPP) to accelerate sustainable infrastructure and mobility.
• Skills development in green and digital innovation, preparing Thailand’s workforce for future-ready industries.
• Enhanced labour and social security policies supporting employee wellness, occupational health, and inclusive workplace standards, ensuring that sustainability includes both people and the planet.
• Collaborative healthcare and wellbeing programmes between the public and private sectors to strengthen Thailand’s human capital and workforce resilience.

👉 Next Step: These key themes will continue in BCCT’s upcoming meeting with the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Labour, focusing on advancing UK–Thailand cooperation in sustainability, skills development, and workforce wellbeing — driving long-term, inclusive economic resilience.

13–17 October 2025
BCCT Engagements in the United Kingdom
Topic: Advancing Bilateral Trade and FTA Dialogue
Hosted by: UK Department for Business & Trade

BCCT Strengthens UK–Thailand Partnership to Advance Free Trade and Collaboration

During her visit to the United Kingdom, BCCT Chair Khun Pinyapa Somphong, together with Greg Watkins MBE, BCCT Executive Director, met with Sir Chris Bryant, UK Minister for Business & Trade, and Matt Western MP, UK Trade Envoy for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The discussions centred on advancing a UK–Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — a priority for both governments as Thailand moves toward finalising its FTA with the EU and maintains no plans to join the CPTPP. This development could leave nearly 4,900 UK exporters at a competitive disadvantage. With the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) signed in September 2024 providing a strong foundation, BCCT reaffirmed its readiness to support both sides through sustained public–private collaboration.

Following the visit, BCCT has strengthened engagement with key Thai government agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), Ministry of Labour (MOL), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Department of Skill Development (DSD), and the Immigration Bureau. These engagements reflect BCCT’s continuing role in aligning business priorities with national policy, and promoting an enabling environment for trade, investment, and workforce development.

Looking Ahead

BCCT will continue to:

• Deepen engagement with ministries and partner chambers under the Collaboration Framework.
• Promote inclusive, responsible, and innovation-driven growth aligned with Thailand’s national priorities and the UK’s Global Britain strategy.
• Expand opportunities for member participation in policy dialogues, sustainability initiatives, and public–private partnerships.

👉 Next Step: Building on this strong momentum, BCCT will convene upcoming meetings with the Minister of Commerce and the Minister of Labour to advance joint initiatives on trade facilitation, workforce development, and sustainable growth. The Chamber will also continue its advocacy efforts to accelerate progress toward a UK–Thailand FTA, ensuring a level playing field for British businesses and expanding opportunities for both nations.

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On behalf of the BCCT Policy Team, we sincerely thank our members, partners, and government counterparts for their collaboration. Your engagement drives our mission to build a stronger, more connected British–Thai business community, and we look forward to advancing meaningful progress together.

📩 For Updates & Engagement Opportunities:

• www.bccthai.com 
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-chamber-of-commerce-thailand-bcct/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/BCCTHAI 

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