Game Industry Act is being Drafted in Thailand 泰國正在起草遊戲產業法
- Kit Amatyakul
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
The draft of the Game Industry Act recently has been heard by public, which was held by Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, through the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA). The law is set to be summited to cabinet this month, and is expected to be approved by April, and take effect by the end of 2025.
最近泰國數位經濟和社會部透過數位經濟促進局(DEPA)舉行《遊戲產業法》草案的公眾聽證會。此法將於本月提交內閣會議，預計將於4月通過，並於 2025 年底生效。
Four Committees are Established to Revolutionize the Gaming Industry.
四個委員會的成立旨在徹底改變博弈產業。
1. Development Committee
發展委員會
The first and largest committee plays a key role in defining the "subordinate laws" that will clear up ambiguities in the relevant laws. A clear example is the case of online gambling, where many still question the clarity regarding "Loot Boxes" and whether they qualify as gambling. The previous law did not provide a clear answer. This committee will serve as the decision-maker, defining the boundaries and making the gambling law, which is being amended by the Ministry of the Interior to extend its scope to include online gambling, more effective.
第一個也是最大的委員會在定義「附屬法律」方面發揮關鍵作用，這將消除相關法律的模糊之處。一個明顯的例子是線上賭博的情況，許多人仍然質疑“戰利品盒”的清晰度以及是否符合賭博的資格。先前的法律並沒有給出明確的答案。該委員會將作為決策者，界定邊界，並使內政部正在修訂的博弈法更加有效，以擴大其範圍，將線上賭博納入其中。
"This law does not replace existing laws but will empower other laws to work more effectively. In the past, Thailand often faced the problem of writing laws that overrule or disrupt other laws, making the implementation of those laws ineffective. Therefore, we must make the law more powerful," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natthaphol.
依據Natthaphol副教授，此法不會取代現有法律，而是使其他法律能夠更有效地發揮作用。泰國在過去經常面臨制定法律推翻或破壞其他法律的問題，從而使這些法律的實施無效。因此，我們必須使法律更加強大。
2. Registration Committee
註冊委員會
This committee will establish a game rating system that aligns with international standards, but adapted to Thailand's context. For example, if a game contains risky or potentially obscene content, this committee will have the authority to determine whether it can be registered. The focus is to ensure compliance with the law and aligning with international standards of game appropriateness, while adjusting to the needs of Thai consumers across all age groups. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) will chair this committee.
此委員會將建立一個與國際標準一致但又適合泰國國情的遊戲評級系統。例如，如果一款遊戲包含危險或潛在淫穢內容，該委員會將有權決定該遊戲是否可以註冊。重點是確保遵守法律並符合遊戲適當性的國際標準，同時適應泰國各年齡層消費者的需求。數位經濟和社會部(DE)將擔任該委員會的主席。
3. Game Regulation Committee
遊戲管理委員會
The primary responsibility of this committee is given to the Cyber Police, who will collaborate with local police and other relevant agencies. As part of the joint committee, they will set the direction for law enforcement. If an offense is found in a particular area, local police will be able to immediately take action to resolve the issue quickly and comprehensively.
此委員會的主要職責由網路警察承擔，網路警察將與當地警察和其他相關機構合作。作為聯合委員會的一部分，他們將制定執法方向。如果在特定區域發現違法行為，當地警方將能夠立即採取行動，快速、全面地解決問題。
4. Industry Promotion Committee
產業促進委員會
Led by the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE) as the chair, this committee will allocate funding from the Broadcast and Telecommunications Development Fund for public benefits (USO Fund), e-Service Tax, and is working to push for additional funding from the Digital Service Tax. This aims to create opportunities for Thai youth to develop their potential in the digital field.
該委員會由數位經濟和社會部長(DE)擔任主席，將從廣播和電信發展公共福利基金（USO基金）和電子服務稅分配資金，並正在努力推動數位服務稅的額外資金。此舉旨在為泰國青年創造機會，並發揮他們在數位領域的潛力。
The aim of this law is to promote Thailand as a gaming hub in Southeast Asia, and to protect the society at the same time. In particular, the youth is protecting from potential negative impacts and enhancing a positive gaming environment. According to Mr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president and chief executive of DEPA, the law will cover all dimensions of the gaming business as well as services on all devices and platforms. In addition, the agency must cooperate with related agencies to make sure the law is consistent with other laws, for example, the Interior Ministry's law which regulates online gambling.
此法的目的是促進泰國成為東南亞的博弈中心，同時保護社會。特別是年輕人正在受保護免受潛在的負面影響並增強積極的遊戲環境。DEPA 總裁兼執行長 Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin 先生表示，此法將涵蓋遊戲業務的各個方面以及所有設備和平台的服務。此外，該機構必須與相關機構合作，確保此法與其他法律保持一致，例如內政部規範線上賭博的法律。
The law is expected to include several key points, such as:
此法預計將包括幾個關鍵點，例如:
Ø Registration requirements for key industry players, like developers and platform providers. It is not certain whether these requirements will also apply to offshore entities offering services to users in Thailand.
主要產業參與者，如開發商和平台提供者的註冊要求。目前尚不清楚這些要求是否也適用於向泰國用戶提供服務的境外實體。
Ø Governance measures: game rating systems and measures to address online gambling and violence in games.
治理措施：遊戲評級系統以及解決線上賭博和遊戲暴力問題的措施。
Ø Incentives: the establishment of a fund to support the gaming industry, and tax incentives to promote Thai gaming businesses.
激勵措施：設立基金支持博弈產業，並提供稅收優惠以促進泰國博弈業務。
The law is still at an early stage of drafting, any amendments may be made during the legislative process. Any interested parties in the online gaming industry should monitor this case and see how the law may affect the company operations.
此法仍處於早期撰擬階段，在立法過程中可能會做出任何修改。網路遊戲產業的任何利害關係人都應該關注此案，關注此法可能如何影響公司的營運。
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