Thailand Rejects U.S. Request for Foreign-Owned Satellite Ventures

The Government of Thailand will not permit United States firms to establish fully foreign-owned satellite telecommunications ventures during upcoming trade negotiations with the Trump administration. Vice Commerce Minister Kirida Bhaopichitr stated that restrictions on low-orbit telecommunication services are a matter of sovereignty. Current regulations limit foreign ownership of such infrastructure to 49%.

This policy specifically affects Space Exploration Technologies Corp., which has sought to offer Starlink services in Thailand via a 100% foreign-owned subsidiary. This proposal was previously rejected by Digital Economy Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

To balance trade tensions, Thailand plans to increase imports of American airplanes, liquefied natural gas, and agricultural products while reducing certain tariffs. However, the government will not grant the same import treatment to U.S. pork. Thai officials aim to keep total tariffs below 19%, though this goal remains complicated by United States Trade Representative rulings regarding forced labor and investigations into excess production capacity.