The NLA believes the legislation is imperative for the survival of small retailers in the face of aggressive expansion by giants.

Thai Chamber of Commerce deputy secretary-general and NLA member Jit Siratranont said a separate draft was being prepared and would be voted on if a Commerce Ministry version was not approved in time by the Council of State.

The new draft should be finished by mid-July.

The Council of State has been very slow in reviewing the ministry's draft, with only four of its 65 articles approved so far, Jit said.

This is obstructing its timely implementation.

"The assembly has the authority to consider laws for another five to six months until the next election. Proposing the assembly's own draft affirms the Retail Business Act and the government will be able to implement it," he said.

The NLA should take another 30 days to amend a second draft and return it to the Cabinet.

The NLA draft is similar to the ministry's, Jit said. It includes clauses encouraging retail and wholesale businesses as policy, eliminating unfair trade practices by retail giants and ensuring fair conditions for both small and large retailers.

An amended draft of the act was finalised in late April in response to the demands of small retailers that the government control the aggressive expansion of retail giants into small communities.

Jit added most foreign investors understood the act's necessity.

If the act can be implemented, then foreign investors will have a clear indication of the conditions surrounding any new project.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation