Bangkok, February 4 (AseanAll) — Thai Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana disclosed that the Thai cabinet, in its meeting on February 3, 2026 acknowledged the proposal of Ministry of Commerce on the 2025 Special 301 Report, published by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), following the approval of the Thai Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas on the submission of this document for cabinet’s acknowledgement.
USTR’s Special 301 Report is published annually to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement among the U.S. trading partners. The report categorizes U.S. trading partners into 3 groups, namely, Priority Foreign Country (PFC) Priority Watch List, and Watch List.
According to the report released on April 29, 2025, Thailand remains on the Watch List, together with other 18 countries, whereas 8 countries fall under the category of Priority Watch List.
Although Thailand’s MBK Center is listed under Notorious Markets List, the country continues to make significant progress on improving intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement. In December 2024, Thailand published a new draft of amendments to the Patent Act to streamline the patent registration process, to reduce patent backlog and pendency, and to help prepare for accession to The Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs. Additionally, amendment of the Copyright Act was proposed and approved in principle by the cabinet to facilitate accession to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).
USTR commended Thailand’s continued improvements in IP enforcement, good working relations between right holders and Thai law enforcement agencies, increased efficiency in seizures by Thai Customs, and positive impressions of the Thai Customs IPR Recordation System, as well as high-priority enforcement actions against counterfeit and pirated goods, including raids against warehouses.
Nevertheless, USTR urges Thailand to consider additional amendments to its Copyright Act, and address the backlog in pending patent examinations, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as to ensure transparency and due process in the protection of geographical indications (GIs), combat infringement on e-commerce platforms, and lengthiness of criminal proceedings against online piracy, on which improvements are being carried out by the Thai Government.
The Department of Intellectual Property, in collaboration with USTR, has developed the IP Work Plan, which the cabinet already approved, to remove Thailand from the Watch List. A National Intellectual Property Development Plan for 2026–2027 has been formulated as a concrete operational framework for relevant agencies. Ministry of Commerce will closely monitor related progress to elevate Thailand’s IP standards.
