Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (Thailand)

Asia-PacificPrivacy2019
ByDecipherU Editorial

Thailand's PDPA is the country's first broad data protection law, enacted in 2019 and fully effective since June 1, 2022. Modeled after GDPR, it establishes consent requirements, data subject rights, data controller and processor obligations, cross-border transfer restrictions, and a Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) as the enforcement authority. Non-compliance can result in criminal penalties including imprisonment.

Quick Reference

EnactedMay 27, 2019; fully effective June 1, 2022
Enforcement BodyPersonal Data Protection Committee (PDPC), Office of the PDPC
PenaltiesAdministrative fines up to THB 5 million (approximately $140,000); criminal penalties including imprisonment up to 1 year and fines up to THB 1 million; punitive damages up to double the actual damages
Applicable ToData controllers and processors collecting or using personal data in Thailand, or monitoring behavior of individuals in Thailand

Key Requirements

Section 19 (Lawful Basis)

Personal data collection requires consent or one of the specified legal bases: vital interests, contract performance, public interest, legitimate interest, or legal obligation

Section 37 (Data Protection Officer)

Data controllers and processors must appoint a Data Protection Officer when processing large volumes of data, sensitive data, or data as a core activity

Section 28 (Cross-border Transfer)

Personal data may only be transferred to countries with adequate data protection standards, or with individual consent, or under specified exceptions

How Does Thailand PDPA Affect Cybersecurity Careers?

Thailand's growing digital economy makes PDPA compliance relevant for organizations operating in Southeast Asia. GRC analysts managing APAC compliance programs must include Thailand alongside Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. The criminal penalties (including imprisonment) make PDPA compliance particularly serious for senior executives.

Cybersecurity Roles That Work With Thailand PDPA

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Read the full text of Thailand PDPA at the official source: https://www.pdpc.or.th/

Frequently Asked Questions

Thailand's PDPA is the country's first broad data protection law, enacted in 2019 and fully effective since June 1, 2022. Modeled after GDPR, it establishes consent requirements, data subject rights, data controller and processor obligations, cross-border transfer restrictions, and a Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) as the enforcement authority. Non-compliance can result in criminal penalties including imprisonment.

Thailand's growing digital economy makes PDPA compliance relevant for organizations operating in Southeast Asia. GRC analysts managing APAC compliance programs must include Thailand alongside Singapore, Japan, and South Korea. The criminal penalties (including imprisonment) make PDPA compliance particularly serious for senior executives.

Administrative fines up to THB 5 million (approximately $140,000); criminal penalties including imprisonment up to 1 year and fines up to THB 1 million; punitive damages up to double the actual damages

Last verified: April 2026?Report an inaccuracy

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