VA Partners Leads ASEAN Peer Review Field Study for Thailand's Competition Policy Advocacy
Photo credit: Trade Competition Commission of Thailand’s Facebook
On September 19, 2025, Dr. Peerapat Chokesuwattanaskul, Senior Partner, together with our experts, Dr. Peerapong Jongpaisalsakul and Praewa Jittimanee, conducted the field study phase of Thailand's ASEAN Peer Review as External Consultants appointed by the ASEAN Secretariat. This peer review is implemented under the ASEAN Competition Action Plan (ACAP) 2025, supporting the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand (TCCT) in assessing its competition policy advocacy practices.
As the designated External Consultant team for this peer review exercise, VA Partners is responsible for executing comprehensive stakeholder interviews and assessments to evaluate Thailand's competition policy advocacy framework. The TCCT is undertaking this voluntary peer review to strengthen its competition regime and contribute to regional harmonisation efforts.
Photo credit: Trade Competition Commission of Thailand’s Facebook
During the field study, our team engaged with multiple stakeholders including the TCCT, sector regulators such as the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), relevant government ministries, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), private sector representatives, and academic experts in competition law and economics. These interviews form a critical component of the peer review methodology, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of Thailand's policy advocacy mechanisms and their effectiveness in promoting competitive markets.
The peer review process, conducted under the ASEAN Competition Law and Policy Peer Review Guidance Document, represents a strategic regional initiative designed to strengthen competition authorities across ASEAN Member States. As External Consultants, we are preparing a comprehensive Peer Review Report with findings and recommendations that will be presented to the ASEAN Experts Group on Competition (AEGC) for discussion and approval.
This ASEAN-led initiative exemplifies the regional commitment to achieving effective competition regimes across all member states, as outlined in ACAP Strategic Goal 1. The peer review mechanism facilitates knowledge sharing, capacity building, and progress toward greater harmonisation of competition policy and law throughout the ASEAN region.
VA Partners is honoured to serve the ASEAN Secretariat in this capacity, contributing our expertise to strengthen not only Thailand's competition framework but also to advance the broader regional agenda of fostering competitive, fair, and resilient economies across Southeast Asia.
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