Thailand Signs the UN Convention
On April 1st, during the 68th session of the UNCITRAL Working Group IV in Vienna, Thailand officially became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts. This significant step marks Thailand as the nineteenth nation to endorse this framework, which was initially adopted in 2005. The convention is set to come into force for Thailand on October 1st, 2025.
Exclusions from the Convention Scope
In a formal statement, the Thai government outlined specific exclusions pertaining to this convention. Notably, certain forms of communication and transactions governed by the Thai Electronic Transactions Act will not be aligned with the convention’s provisions. This exemption primarily applies to contracts that involve governmental bodies and those transactions that necessitate formal registration.
Objectives of the Convention
The primary goal of the UN convention is to foster legal certainty and enhance economic predictability in international trade via electronic communication. It includes key guidelines that establish the equivalence of electronic documents with traditional paper records, ensuring that all comply with essential legal requirements. By adopting this convention, Thailand aims to streamline international contractual processes and promote a more robust electronic commerce framework.
