Food Delivery Business on Digital Platforms and Public Interest and Consumer Protection in Thailand

Abstract

This research aims to study concepts, theories, and regulations of food delivery business on digital platforms. It includes the comparative study of international regulations under World Health Organization (WHO), foreign laws, namely, the United States of America, Australia and People’s Republic of China related to legal measures on consumer protection on food delivery businesses. The study also analyzes the limitations and legal problems under Thai laws and propose the legal measures more clearly about rights, duties, responsibilities and sanction for the relevant parties of the food delivery businesses on digital platforms to protect the public safety and consumer rights in Thailand, The study employs a qualitative method with in-depth interview and group discussion. The research finds that the selected foreign laws provide that food providers and restaurants are responsible for public safety and must ensure food hygiene and safety. However, Thai laws lack such legal measures. Therefore, Thai laws and regulations on public safety and consumer protection on food delivery businesses on digital platforms should be amended. Moreover, the system management of the service providers, rights, duties, responsibilities and sanction of the relevant parties should be obviously imposed as well.