Thailand rejects SpaceX 100% ownership for satellite business

MGR Online•Economy•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand has refused a request from the United States for SpaceX to establish a 100% foreign-owned satellite telecommunications business, citing national sovereignty.

•Thailand rejected the US request for SpaceX to hold 100% shares in a satellite telecommunications business during trade negotiations.
•Thai law currently limits foreign shareholding in certain telecommunications infrastructure to a maximum of 49%.
•Thailand offered to increase imports of US aircraft, LNG, soybeans, and corn, and reduce certain import tariffs to 0% as part of trade talks.
•Thailand aims to maintain US import tariffs on Thai goods below 19%.

Overview

•Thailand confirmed it will not allow US companies to establish satellite telecommunications businesses with 100% foreign ownership.
•Thailand views 100% foreign ownership of low earth orbit satellite telecommunications services as an issue of national sovereignty and security.
•SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, is seeking greater access to the Thai market to provide Starlink satellite internet services.
•Kirida Phaophichit stated that the issue would be discussed again when trade negotiations between Thailand and the United States resume at the end of the month.
•Thailand proposed increasing imports of US aircraft, LNG, soybeans, and corn, and accepting US standards for beef, mutton, and alcoholic beverages.
•Thailand is currently subject to an additional 12.5% tariff imposed by the USTR across 60 countries regarding trade restrictions on goods made with forced labor.
•The USTR is conducting an investigation under Section 301 into several cases, including one concerning Thailand's excess production capacity.
•The report was published on August 5, 2026.

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Key Entities

Organization

SpaceXℹ️

A US company owned by Elon Musk seeking to provide Starlink internet services in Thailand.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The Thai ministry overseeing trade negotiations.

Office of the United States Trade Representative(สำนักงานผู้แทนการค้าสหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

The US agency referred to as USTR that conducts trade investigations and imposes tariffs.

USTRℹ️

The abbreviation for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Starlinkℹ️

The satellite internet service provided by SpaceX.

Bloomberg

The news organization that reported on the trade negotiations.

United States Supreme Court(ศาลฎีกาสหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

The court whose ruling affected President Donald Trump's tariff collection approach.

Place

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country engaging in trade negotiations with the United States and limiting foreign ownership in telecommunications.

United States(สหรัฐฯ)ℹ️

The country negotiating trade terms and requesting market access for its satellite business.

Person

Kirida Phaophichit(กิริฎา เภาพิจิตร)

Assistant Minister to the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.

Elon Musk(อีลอน มัสก์)ℹ️

The owner of SpaceX.

Donald Trump(โดนัลด์ ทรัมป์)ℹ️

The US President whose tariff guidelines were affected by a court ruling.

Law

Section 301(มาตรา 301)ℹ️

The legal provision under which the USTR opens investigations into unfair trade practices.