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New Law Update

Topic 1. Latest Law Update

Interesting News

1. The Ministry of Labour Announcement on the Exemption from Reporting Foreign Workers’ Employment Information under Section 64/2 (dated November 29, 2024) states:

• The previous Ministry of Labour Announcement on the exemption from reporting foreign workers’ employment information under Section 64/2, issued on July 26, 2025, is hereby canceled.
• Foreign workers who have been authorized to work under Sections 59, 62, 63, 63/1, 63/2, and 64 are exempted from reporting their employment information under Section 64/2, except in cases where there is a change or addition of an employer need to be informed.

This exemption is intended to facilitate foreign workers and contribute to stimulating the country’s economy.

2. Summary of the Announcement from the Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Classification of Goods and Services

The announcement has revoked the Ministry of Commerce’s previous announcement on the classification of goods and services dated February 12, 2024, and has adopted the classifications stated in the new announcement. This change is due to the update of the classifications of goods and services, which includes revised definitions for each category to clarify the details of the goods and services more effectively. The categorization of items in this new announcement serves as a guideline for classifying related goods and services within the same categories, making it easier to compare and search for which category a particular item belongs to.

3. Summary of key points in MOL’s announcement on Hazard Assessment, Impact Study of the Work Environment, and Development of Plans for Management of Employees and Workplaces

The new Announcement on Hazard Assessment, which is enacted under Section 32 of the Act on Safety, B.E. 2554 (2011), sets additional requirements for hazard assessment. Employers are required to conduct hazard assessments to study the impacts of the working environment on employees, create a safety management plan, and develop plans to monitor employees and the workplace. This requirement is applicable to certain types of businesses that must carry out hazard assessments and develop plans to control and reduce hazards, which is in addition to the regulations set out in the Ministerial Regulation on safety, B.E. 2565 (2022).

This announcement further stipulates that hazard assessments and the development of plans to control and reduce hazards must be conducted under the guidance and certification of safety experts.

For the types of businesses outlined in the Ministry of Labor’s Hazard Assessment 2567, the following special provisions apply in addition to the standard regulations:

1. High-risk businesses (Category 1) with two or more employees.
2. Medium-risk businesses (Category 2) with twenty or more employees.

Employers in these categories must conduct hazard assessments and develop plans to control and reduce hazards with guidance from and certification by safety professionals, unless the number of employees falls below the set threshold.

For other types of businesses, such as those in Category 3, or in Category 2 but with fewer than 20 employees, it remains mandatory to identify and analyze hazards and create safety measures as before. However, the results of the hazard assessments and the development of plans to control and reduce hazards do not need to be certified by safety experts.

4. The Board of Investment Promotion Announcement No. Sor 6/2567 on the improvement of business categories in the steel industry

The Investment Promotion Board has revised the conditions and benefits for investment promotion in the steel industry to align with the country’s development, particularly in the intermediate and final steel production sectors. The revisions are as follows:

1. Intermediate Steel Production (Slab, Ingot, Billet, Bloom)
   Billet production is not eligible for promotion in new investment projects. However, ongoing projects can apply for benefits under the Smart and Sustainable Industry and Community and Social Development promotion measures. The benefits are under category A4.
2. Final Steel Production
   High tensile strength steel for wire production must have a UTS value of no less than 1,000 MPa. Other types must have a UTS value of no less than 700 MPa. The benefits are under category A2.
3. Long-Form Steel Production (Industrial and Construction Applications)
   The production of wire rods for both industrial and construction applications is not eligible for promotion in new investment projects. However, ongoing projects can apply for benefits. The benefits are under category B.
4. Flat-Form Steel Production (Industrial and Construction Applications)
   The production of hot-rolled steel sheets for both industrial and construction applications is not eligible for promotion in new investment projects. However, ongoing projects can apply for benefits. The benefits are under category B.

This revision aims to ensure that the promotion of investments in the steel industry is appropriate and in line with sustainable industrial development.

5. Customs Clearance for Vehicle Imports: Requirements and Procedures

Vehicle importation is a process that requires compliance with customs regulations. It can be categorized into two types: combustion engine vehicle imports through the National Single Window (NSW) system and battery electric vehicle (BEV) imports. Each type involves specific details that importers should be aware of, as outlined below.

1. Combustion Engine Vehicle Imports via the National Single Window (NSW)
   The importation of combustion engine vehicles must be processed through the National Single Window (NSW) electronic system, with the following key requirements:
   • 1.1 Scope of the Announcements
     • First Announcement: Focused solely on the importation of standard vehicles.
     • Second Announcement:Expanded to include the registration of products such as vehicles, engines, tractors, and other transport vehicles.
   • 1.2 Required Information for NSW Submission
     The NSW system specifies the information to be entered into each field, such as:
     • Trademark Field: Enter the vehicle brand name.
     • Product Year Field: Enter the year of manufacture.
     • Product Code Field: Enter the engine cylinder capacity.
2. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Imports
   The importation of electric vehicles comes with special benefits, including tariff reductions or exemptions in certain cases. Details are as follows:
   • 2.1 Special Tariff Privileges
     Electric vehicles with a retail price not exceeding 2 million baht are eligible for tariff reductions or exemptions under the announcement’s conditions.
   • 2.2 Required Documents for Importation
     • Certificate of Privilege Approval from the Excise Department.
     • Certificate of Origin to verify the product’s origin.
   • 2.3 Required Information for NSW Submission
     The information requirements in the NSW system for BEV imports are similar to those for combustion engine vehicles, such as:
     • Trademark Field: Enter the vehicle brand name.
     • Product Year Field: Enter the year of manufacture.
     • Product Code Field: Enter the engine cylinder capacity.
   • 2.4 Additional Updates in the Second Announcement
     • Mandated submission of documents in PDF format.
     • Procedures for system malfunctions: If online submission is unavailable, documents must be submitted directly to customs officers.