Law
Concerns Raised Over Proposed Plant Variety Protection Legislation
MP Boonravee Yomjinda has alleged that lobbying efforts are pushing for plant variety protection laws that could favor foreign interests and impact Thai farmers.
On September 24, 2026, Boonravee Yomjinda, a party-list MP and leader of the Ruamjai Thai Party, publicly raised concerns regarding the potential adoption of the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 1991). This legislative push is reportedly linked to ongoing Thailand–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
According to Khaosod Online, MP Boonravee alleged that a lobbying group, including an American individual identified as 'Mr. TONY' from the Washington-based B.G.R. Group, is working to accelerate the passage of this law to benefit foreign capital. The MP claims that farmers across Thailand are worried that such legislation could restrict their traditional rights to save seeds and lead to significantly higher production costs.
For residents and those involved in the agricultural sector, this development highlights a potential shift in how plant varieties are regulated in Thailand. The MP has urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to provide greater transparency and has requested a suspension of the legislative process to allow for public consultation.
It remains to be confirmed whether the government will pause the legislative process or provide a formal response to these allegations of foreign lobbying. As of now, the claims regarding the influence of specific lobbyists and their connection to the FTA negotiations remain unverified allegations made by the MP.