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The Commerce Ministry will make a major effort to ensure that the draft retail and wholesale business law receives parliamentary approval this year, otherwise the problems resulting from market dominance by retail giants will remain unsolved.

The draft law must get parliamentary ratification by November 28, when the period for its consideration expires. If this deadline were to be missed, the legislation would not be reconsidered until next August.

Yangyong Phuangrach, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the ministry would next week pass the draft law to the Cabinet approval in principle, so that it can be forwarded for parliamentary ratification in good time. "The ministry is revising the former draft law after it failed to complete its passage during the tenure of several previous governments. We will try to push the law through during the term of the current government to ensure small retailers are not unnecessarily affected by the expansion of the large retailers," he said.

Implementation of the law will ensure that all retailers and wholesalers, suppliers and consumers are regulated under fair and equitable regulations.

The subcommittee tasked with amending the draft law is scheduled to finalise its deliberations within 60 days of having started work last month. However, the ministry will try to speed up approval in principle in order to ensure that the legislation is agreed upon and ready for implementation soon.

Yangyong said the draft could be amended in detail during parliamentary consideration after passing its first reading, in order to ensure that it is current and acceptable to all interested parties.

Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsap said he was committed to trying to support the law's early approval, so as to ensure that it gets final approval within the current government's term and can start to increase fairness and equal treatment for all.

Wholesaling and Retailing Association president Somchai Pornratanacharoen said that without the law, the sector would fall even further into the hands of a small group of enterprises. Such a development would harm consumers and the economy.