Legal Issues in the Protection and Regulation of Online Pet Trade Businesses

Abstract

In the digital era, Thailand’s online pet trade has experienced rapid growth in response to shifting consumer behaviors and the rising trend of “Pet Humanization,” which encourages the treatment of pets as family members. Despite its expansion, this business sector presents numerous legal challenges, including consumer fraud, violations of animal welfare, and the illegal trade of animals through online platforms. Although several laws—such as the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animals Act B.E 2557 (2014) are in place, Thailand lacks specific legislation tailored to effectively regulate online pet commerce. This study analyzes the regulatory frameworks of France, Germany, and the United States, where more comprehensive measures are implemented, including mandatory seller registration, licensing requirements, pre-sale animal health checks, and the clear imposition of duties on digital platforms. These foreign approaches enable stronger consumer and animal protection. In contrast, Thailand faces limitations such as the absence of platform oversight, insufficient health standards, and weak mechanisms to combat illegal wildlife trade.

         Based on this study, the author recommends the enactment of specific legal measures to govern online pet trade, including platform regulation, seller registration and verification, animal health standards, and anti-trafficking mechanisms, in alignment with international best practices to ensure effective protection of consumer rights and animal welfare within the rapidly evolving digital economy.