Fines for non-compliance with PDPA compliance requirements for businesses Thailand can reach up to THB 5 million per incident in 2025, with both public enforcement and reputation at stake. Are your data collection, storage, and consent processes aligned for the new standards coming into force?

PDPA compliance Thailand legal obligations businesses

Meeting PDPA standards builds more than just compliance. It is a clear demonstration of your commitment to integrity, efficiency, and customer trust.

Now is the time for business owners and leaders to understand what compliance truly looks like, so you can protect your operations, empower your teams, and turn privacy obligations into a competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways

  • PDPA compliance is mandatory for 2025: Businesses in Thailand must obtain clear consent, provide transparent privacy notices, and limit data collection strictly to declared purposes.
  • Align with local and global standards: The PDPA mirrors GDPR and CCPA principles, requiring lawful processing, transparent data practices, and up-to-date records for all personal data.
  • Conduct regular gap assessments: Perform legal risk analyses, update documentation, and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) when required to reduce compliance risks.
  • Implement clear consent management: Use plain-language consent forms, secure records of consent, and offer easy withdrawal options to minimize regulatory penalties and disruptions.
  • Draft robust, user-friendly privacy policies: Clearly disclose data types, collection purposes, individual rights, and security measures as required by Thai law, updating policies at least annually or when regulations change.
  • Prepare and respond swiftly to data breaches: Notify the PDPC within 72 hours of discovery, alert affected individuals without delay, and conduct regular staff training to maintain compliance and build trust.
  • Respect and operationalize data subject rights: Establish standard operating procedures to respond to access, correction, and deletion requests within 30 days, covering both customer and employee data.
  • Assess DPO and cloud requirements carefully: Appoint a DPO only when large-scale or sensitive data processing applies, and ensure cloud providers meet all PDPA security and cross-border transfer standards.

Thailand PDPA Compliance Requirements

Businesses operating in Thailand must align with the PDPA compliance requirements for 2025 to process personal data lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

Key obligations under the PDPA include:

  • Obtaining and documenting clear consent before any data collection
  • Implementing privacy notices that explain what data is collected, why, and how it is used
  • Limiting personal data collection strictly to the purposes specified in advance

Meeting Global & Local Privacy Standards

Thailand’s PDPA shares key similarities with international frameworks like the GDPR and CCPA:

  • All require lawful data processing, with transparency at every step
  • PDPA mandates registering with the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) where applicable
  • Organizations must maintain up-to-date records and provide individuals with access and correction rights

Businesses in sectors such as e-commerce, healthcare, and financial services face unique compliance requirements tailored to their industry.

To achieve PDPA compliance:

  1. Conduct a legal gap assessment and risk analysis of all business processes
  2. Develop and maintain required documentation, privacy notices, and data maps
  3. Register with the PDPC and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) if needed

Visit pdpc.go.th for the latest regulations and official resources.

Every business should review policies and systems now to reduce risk, avoid fines, and demonstrate a proactive commitment to customer trust and privacy.

Businesses in Thailand must secure clear, verifiable consent before collecting or using personal data, as required under the PDPA compliance requirements for businesses Thailand. Consent must be informed, specific, and freely given, with withdrawal options clearly accessible at all times.

Common risks of improper consent include regulatory penalties, revoked consent disrupting service, and fines that may reach up to THB 5 million. To reduce these risks, organizations should:

  • Present consent requests in plain language
  • Offer opt-in choices rather than pre-ticked boxes
  • Maintain secure, timestamped records of all consent granted or withdrawn

Certain situations, like contract fulfillment or responding to legal requirements, do not require consent under the PDPA. Legitimate interests may also apply, but businesses must carefully assess and document these justifications.

For daily operations, businesses benefit by:

  • Designing user-friendly consent forms on websites and mobile platforms
  • Incorporating consent tracking modules into CRM or data management systems
  • Setting up easy-to-follow withdrawal and audit mechanisms for both staff and customers

Consent is a cornerstone of trust in Thailand’s PDPA; investing in transparent, flexible consent processes protects both your customers and your reputation. Empower individuals, document every decision, and keep interfaces clear to meet regulatory standards and maintain confidence.

Drafting a PDPA Privacy Policy

A PDPA-compliant privacy policy in Thailand must give clear, accessible information about how personal data is used, stored, and protected. By 2025, businesses need to ensure their privacy policies meet strict legal disclosure requirements and address both regulatory expectations and customer trust.

Key elements every policy should include are:

  • Data types collected (e.g., name, email, ID numbers)
  • Collection purposes (such as marketing, service delivery, HR administration)
  • Data subject rights (access, correction, deletion, objection)
  • Security measures and data retention practices

A well-drafted privacy policy demonstrates a commitment to ethical data practices. Your privacy policy should explain, in simple terms, who you are, what you collect, and why. This level of transparency builds business credibility.

What Must Be Included in Your Privacy Policy Under Thai Law?

Mandatory disclosures required by Thai law:

  • Data controller’s name and contact details
  • Legal basis for data processing
  • Rights of individuals and how they can exercise them
  • Recipients or categories of recipients of personal data
  • Cross-border transfer information

Regularly review your policy and inform stakeholders of significant changes through email, website banners, or internal notices.

How Often Should You Review and Update Your PDPA Policy?

PDPA policies should be reviewed at least annually or more frequently if:

  • Business activities expand or change
  • New legal requirements are enacted
  • A data breach or incident occurs

Create an internal schedule for reviews and empower team members to act on legislative updates.

Clear, well-maintained privacy policies are not just legal requirements, they are a foundation for consumer confidence and business accountability.

Data Breach Response Under PDPA

A data breach under Thailand PDPA happens when there is unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure of personal data. Businesses are legally required to prepare for potential incidents and act promptly with a response plan that limits harm.

Clear PDPA compliance requirements for businesses in Thailand in 2025 mean you must:

  • Detect and investigate breaches quickly, minimising risks to affected individuals
  • Notify the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) within 72 hours of discovery in most scenarios
  • Alert affected individuals without undue delay if there is a risk to their rights or freedoms

What Are the Steps to Prepare and Respond to a Data Breach?

Effective breach management starts with robust protocols. For rapid and compliant response:

  1. Set up an incident response team with defined roles
  2. Develop internal reporting and escalation procedures
  3. Prepare notification and incident report templates for regulatory submissions
  4. Conduct regular staff training and run tabletop exercises

The most resilient organisations regularly test their plans and educate staff, proactive preparation leads to faster, more effective breach management.

Data Subject Rights & Employee Data

Respecting data subject rights is integral to PDPA compliance requirements for businesses in Thailand. Individuals have clear legal rights over their personal data, including:

  • Access: The right to request a copy of their data
  • **Correction: **The ability to ask for inaccurate data to be fixed
  • **Deletion: **Entitlement to request removal of data no longer needed
  • Objection: The power to object to certain types of processing
  • Portability: The right to obtain and move their data in a common format

These rights apply to both customers and employees, though internal employee data handling often requires additional policies for access, documentation, and secure retention.

How Should Businesses Respond to Data Subject Requests?

Efficient, lawful response is mandatory. Businesses must:

  • Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling access, correction, and deletion requests
  • Respond within the 30-day timeframe required by PDPA, with documented extensions where justified
  • Train staff to verify requestor identity and track all actions to avoid non-compliance risks

Quick, informed responses not only maintain trust but help avoid regulatory penalties.

What Special Rules Apply to Employee Data Protection?

Employers must only collect employee data for legitimate HR purposes, maintain valid consent, and implement retention policies reflecting legal requirements.

  • Conduct privacy impact assessments for new HR processes
  • Securely store and restrict access to personnel files using password protections and audit logs

Meeting PDPA standards means every request is a chance to build trust and safeguard your reputation, making robust data rights processes an essential business asset.

FAQ: PDPA for Businesses Thailand

Do small businesses need a DPO?

Not every business in Thailand must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

DPO appointment is required if your core activities include large-scale processing, monitoring, or handling special categories of personal data.

  • Small businesses without extensive data processing are typically exempt.
  • Businesses with under 100 employees and limited personal data are less likely to be subject to mandatory DPO requirements.

How fast must I respond to a data subject request?

You must typically respond within 30 days of receiving any valid data subject request under PDPA Thailand.

In complex cases, a single extension may be granted if justified, but timely written responses are essential.

  • Always acknowledge receipt immediately.
  • Use standardized workflows to manage requests efficiently.

What penalties exist for PDPA non-compliance?

Non-compliance may result in fines of up to THB 5 million per violation in 2025, criminal liability, and reputational harm.
Examples include public enforcement actions or civil claims if data rights are breached.

  • Regulatory authorities can also suspend data processing operations.
  • Prompt remedial action and staff training can reduce risk.

Is cloud storage of personal data allowed under the PDPA?

Cloud storage is permitted if providers apply robust security and the relevant cross-border transfer requirements are met.
Businesses must ensure written contracts, proper access controls, and compliance with all PDPA standards when data is hosted outside Thailand.

  • Choose established vendors with proven data protection credentials.
  • Review all service agreements for PDPA compliance, especially when using overseas data centers.

Clear documentation, swift response to rights requests, and strong third-party management make PDPA compliance practical and achievable for every business.

Conclusion

Staying ahead with PDPA compliance is more than meeting legal benchmarks, it’s your pathway to greater trust, resilience, and market advantage.

Take decisive steps now: review your consent processes, update privacy policies, strengthen breach protocols, and empower your team with clear data rights procedures.

If you’re ready to safeguard your business and build customer confidence, contact us today. Themis Partner will help you translate PDPA requirements into practical, tailored solutions bringing clarity, efficiency, and peace of mind.