Thailand’s competition regulator has capped trade credit terms at 45 days for large retailers dealing with small suppliers, backing the rule with fines of up to 10 per cent of revenue.
The Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) issued the binding notification in the Royal Gazette this month, taking aim at wholesalers and retailers generating over 500 million baht in annual turnover across department stores, specialty shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets, cash-and-carry outlets and convenience networks.
Under rules taking effect in November, payment windows between large retail operators and commercial, manufacturing or service SMEs cannot exceed 45 days unless a shorter schedule is agreed. For agricultural produce and basic processed farm goods, settlements must conclude within 30 days. Consignment terms start when agreed volumes sell in full, whereas standard shipments begin the cycle once deliveries arrive complete with proper documentation.
Violators of this notification could face a fine of up to 10% of their revenue in the year in which the offence occurred, or up to 1 million baht if the offence occurs during their first year of operation.
Investigating Encroachment on Franchisees
Beyond payment terms, the TCCT is deploying investigative teams to Phetchaburi and Lampang provinces to inspect convenience store networks and traditional mom-and-pop grocers. Evidence gathered through the regulator’s Mobile Competition Clinic revealed parent chains frequently open company-owned corporate outlets directly beside existing franchisees, cannibalising store traffic after collecting upfront licensing fees.
Retail operators told authorities that extra units meet high local shopper density that single stores cannot serve. Pol Col Songsak Raksaksakul, vice-chairman at the TCCT, dismissed the contractual defense during preliminary hearings.
Even if contracts allow this practice, the fairness of such agreements is questionable under fair-trade principles, Pol Col Songsak noted.
The commission is also scrutinising whether dominant supermarket operators abuse consignment arrangements. Multiple SME groups reported that after their packaged items established strong sales on modern trade shelves, chains launched copycat house-brand alternatives, while the TCCT is examining whether unilateral changes to product shelf positions constitute an unfair trade practice.
Pressure on Working Capital Models
Thai retail chains have long operated by funding store rollouts through supplier credit. Forcing payments out within 30 to 45 days removes cheap short-term financing that supported rapid network expansion across provincial capitals. Chains must now decide whether to reallocate working capital or prune marginal product lines to keep cash conversion cycles tight.
Suppliers gain needed balance sheet relief, but small brands risk immediate pushback from category managers. Supermarket buyers faced with strict payment liabilities often rationalise stock keeping units, favouring larger multinational consumer goods conglomerates that supply higher volumes and absorb rebate deductions without dispute.
Zoning and Local Sourcing Mandates
The field investigations in Phetchaburi and Lampang wrap by late November, alongside focus groups scheduled early in the month to measure consumer and merchant sentiment. Data from those sessions will shape an enforceable retail code of practice and feed policy guidance to urban planning authorities and local administrative organisations.
The Turn from Voluntary Guidelines
The statutory credit notification replaces voluntary terms that big retailers routinely bypassed. TCCT commissioner Warawan Chitaroon said that while the watchdog published voluntary guidelines previously, extended payment delays persisted because corporate buyers faced no statutory teeth. Formal publication in the Royal Gazette converts credit schedules from advisory best practices into enforceable law.
The statutory credit rules take effect in November, while the TCCT plans consultations with retail operators before drafting the formal code of conduct on store positioning and franchising practices.
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