As a business owner, one of your top legal priorities should be understanding PDPA—the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562. In today’s digital world where data-driven marketing is vital, many companies use customer data for online campaigns, sometimes without consent. This opens up the risk of violating data privacy laws, leading to identity theft or data misuse. That’s where PDPA comes in—Thailand’s legal framework designed to protect personal data and consumer rights.
PDPA, or the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562, is a law enacted to regulate the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. It is especially important for businesses that handle customer information. The act ensures companies do not use personal data without proper authorization or the data owner’s consent. With growing cases of data-related crimes, such as identity theft and cyber-attacks, PDPA helps protect individuals from digital abuse.
For any business that stores or processes customer data, strict care must be taken. If personal data is collected or used without consent, the organization may face severe penalties—criminal, civil, and administrative.
What Counts as Personal Data Under PDPA?
Personal data refers to any information that can identify an individual, including:
Full Name
Residential Address
Phone Number
Financial Information
Health Records
Photos that reveal identity
Key Rights of Data Owners Under PDPA
If a business or organization collects personal data, individuals are entitled to several rights under PDPA. These rights are fundamental to data privacy and protection:
Right to Access
Individuals have the right to request access to their personal data and receive a copy of any data held by an organization—provided it doesn’t violate court orders or infringe on others’ rights.
Right to Correct
If any personal data is inaccurate or incomplete, the data subject may request corrections to keep records up-to-date and prevent errors in data processing.
Right to Erasure
Data subjects can request the deletion of their personal data in certain cases—such as when the data is unlawfully disclosed. The organization is obligated to erase or destroy the data and cover the full cost of doing so.
Right to Be Informed
Organizations must clearly inform individuals before collecting their personal data. The notice should state what data will be collected, why it’s needed, how long it will be stored, and how it will be used.
Right to Restrict Processing
Data owners have the right to limit or object to certain types of data processing in specific circumstances.
Right to Data Portability
Individuals can request to receive their personal data and transfer it to another organization if needed.
Right to Withdraw Consent
Individuals have the right to withdraw consent or request to stop data usage at any time. The withdrawal process must be simple and straightforward.
Business Obligations for PDPA Compliance
To comply with PDPA, businesses must implement robust data protection measures. This includes obtaining explicit consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal data, ensuring proper data security, and promptly reporting any data breaches. Compliance builds trust and helps avoid lawsuits. Non-compliance can result in criminal, civil, or administrative penalties.
Conclusion
PDPA imposes strict penalties for violations, including heavy fines and potential jail time. As a result, business owners must take data privacy seriously. Understanding and complying with PDPA is not just about legal safety—it’s also about protecting your customers and building lasting trust.
If your business wants to run data-driven campaigns without relying on personal customer data, reach out to our Digital Marketing Agency. We help brands reach target audiences safely through strategic content marketing that drives real results—without breaching privacy laws.
Krittitee Tongdang
