Chinese online retailer Temu has entered Thailand, intensifying competition for Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok with aggressive discounts and free returns. Local e-commerce experts are urging stricter import regulations to protect Thai businesses. Temu's parent company, PDD Holdings, is now China's most valuable e-commerce firm.
The entry of Chinese online retailer Temu into Thailand's e-commerce market is expected to intensify competition, impacting players like Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok.
Temu Thailand offers free returns for 90 days and discounts up to 90%, which could lead to a price war and closures of local factories.
Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, honorary president of the Thai E-commerce Association, and Thanawat Malabuppha, CEO of Priceza Group, stressed the need for stricter import regulations to protect local businesses.
Temu supports local languages and offers discounts, targeting Alibaba's AliExpress and Shopee's customer bases.
The Thai government recently introduced a 7% VAT on imported goods below 1,500 baht to aid local businesses.
Temu's parent company, PDD Holdings, has expanded globally, making it China's most valuable e-commerce firm, surpassing Alibaba and JD.com.