G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
29 June 2021  
(21-5218) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
 
 
SUBSIDIES  
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVI:1 OF  
THE GATT 1994 AND ARTICLE 25 OF THE AGREEMENT ON  
SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES  
THAILAND  
The following notification, dated and received on 28 June 2021, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Thailand.  
 
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I.  COMPENSATION PROGRAMME FOR FISHING OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE 
GOVERNMENT 'S FISHING VESSEL REMOVAL MEASURE 2015 (FOR WOODEN VESSELS OF 
MORE THAN 90 GT ) 
1. Title of the subsidy programme  
Compensation programme for fishing owners affected by the government 's fishing vessel removal 
measure 2015 . 
2. Period covered by the notification  
1 January 2019  - 31 December 2021.  
3. Policy objective and /or purpose of the subsidy  
The objective is to compensate fishing vessel owners for their lost opportunity to fish resulting from 
the government 's fishing vessel removal measure in 2015.  This program will help operators/fishers 
who are affected by the measure to earn a living and alleviate their debt p roblems.  
4. Background and authority for the subsidy including specifying the name of the laws relating 
to subsidies  
In 2015, the government decided to control the number of fishing vessels operating in Thai waters 
to maintain fish stocks at the  levels  that c an produce  the maximum sustainable yield (MSY),  which 
is one of the government 's measures to manage fisheries resources and address IUU fishing  
problems.  There were several fishing vessels removed and not allowed to fish permanently through 
this process.  In order to compensate fishing vessel owners for their lost opportunity to fishing, the 
government designated the Department of Fisheries to implement the above -mentioned program . 
5. Form of the subsidy  
Granting funds according to the buy -back purchasing pric e. G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
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 6.  To whom and how the subsidy is provided  
Fishing vessel owners or fishing operators affected by the government 's fishing vessel removal 
measure and could not use those vessels to fish permanently since 2015, including 52 wooden 
vessels of more than 90 G T. Every participating vessel was taken into dismantling operations and 
could not be brought back for fishing again.  
7. The amount of the subsidy  
The government provides grants for 52  wooden fishing vessels of more than 90 GT which were 
removed from fishing a ctivities permanently with a total amount of 286,058,700  Baht.  
8. Duration of the subsidy  
1 March 2019  - 15 December 2020 . 
II.  CAPACITY BUILDING ON MARINE SHRIMP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING FOR 
DOMESTIC SHRIMP CONSUMPTION  
1. Title of the subsidy program  
Capacity b uilding on marine shrimp production and marketing for domestic shrimp consumption.  
2. Period covered by the notification  
1 January 2019  - 31 December 2021 . 
3. Policy objective and /or purpose of the subsidy  
The objectives of the program are  
1) to build resilience for marine shrimp farmers' institutes and community enterprises to 
become self -reliance and self -sufficiency  ; have more bargaining power and be able to 
manage the marketing process and product distribution for domestic shrimp market . 
2) to support small -scale marine shrimp farmers who are member s of farmer's institutes 
and community enterprises back in business by providing access to business 
opportunity and funding and s pecific pathogen -free shrimp seed . 
4. Background and authority for the subsidy  
The responsible authorities are the Department of Fisheries  (DOF) and the Bank for Agriculture and 
Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC).  
5. Form of the subsidy  
Grants and soft loans.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided  
1) DOF provides grants for marine shrimp farmers at 90 % of the prices to buy s pecific 
pathogen -free and quality shrimp seed . However, the grant should not be more than 
40,000  Baht per each farmer . 
2) BAAC provides soft loans for marine shrimp farmers to buy farming inputs . The loan 
amount for each farmer should not be more than 300,000 Baht in 1 st year, not more G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
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 than 150,000 Baht in 2nd year, and 3rd year.  DOF will compensate farmers at 
3% interest rate per year.  
3) BAAC provides soft loans for marine shrimp farmer's institutes  and community 
enterprises to increase managing and marketing abilities and product distribution . The 
loan amount for each farmer's institute/community enterprise should not be more than 
2,000,000  Baht per each institute in 1 st year, not more than 1,000,00 0 Baht in 
2nd year, and 3 rd year. DOF will compensate the farmers at 3 % interest rate per year . 
7. The amount of the subsidy  
Year 2019  - 2021:  Total budget of 278 million Baht . 
8. Duration of the subsidy is provided  
Year 2019  - 2021. 
III.  THE CAREER  DEVELOPMENT AND RESILIENCE BUILDING PROGRAM FOR LOCAL 
FISHING COMMUNITIES  
1. Title of the subsidy programme  
The career development and resilience building program for local fishing communities . 
2. Period covered by the notification  
1 January 2019 - 31 January 2021 . 
3. Policy objective and /or purpose of the subsidy  
1) To replenish aquatic resources in the coastal areas ; 
2) Local fishing communities to earn more income and have a better quality of life from 
fishing occupations ; 
3) To create awaren ess on the  sustainable utilization of aquatic animal resources and to 
strengthen local fishing communities ; 
4) To promote the participation of local fishing communities in sustainable coastal marine 
resource management . 
4. Background and authority for the subsid y including specifying the name of the laws relating 
to subsidies  
Previously, overfishing resulted in a lower amount of aquatic animal resources.  Small -scale artisanal 
fisheries in the coastal area are affected by this.  Artisanal fishers have to take vesse ls further from 
the shore with higher expenses, longer time to fish, and more risks.  
According to  Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B .E.2558 (2015)  and Royal Ordinance on Fisheries (No .2) 
B.E. 2560 (2017 ), the Department of Fisheries is authorized to promote the participation of local 
fisheries communities in the management, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of aquatic 
resources.  The Department of Fisheries has implemented the project so that artisanal coastal fishers 
gathering as groups and being registered as a local fishing  community organization with the 
Department of Fisheries could participate in restoring aquatic resources to increase productivity.  
This includes the development and promotion of coastal artisanal fishing communities to be 
self-reliant.  G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
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 5. Form of the subsidy  
Granting funds to local fisheries communities for carrying out activities in the management, 
conservation, and utilization of fisheries resources in a balanced and most sustainable manner and 
activities to develop livelihood and strengthen the community.  For example, 1)  activities to increase 
the productivity of aquatic animals such as establishing the banks for aquatic animals and 
development of aquatic animals ' habitats in the community and release of aquatic species in natural 
water bodies, etc., 2)  activities to improve and modify fishing gear to be  appropriate, sustainable 
and legal, 3)  activities to create more value -added aquatic animal products and improve post -harvest  
handling  efficiency  4) marketing support activities and improving access to ma rket channels for 
artisanal fishers and local fishing communities.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided  
Period 1 : 1 March  - 30 September 2020  
Target groups:  144 local fisheries communities registered by the Department of Fisheries in 
22 coastal province s 
Period 2 : 1 October 2020  - 30 September 2021  
Target groups:  250 local fisheries communities registered by the Department of Fisheries in 
22 coastal provinces.  
7. The amount of the subsidy  
The total budget of 39,400,000 Baht for expenses to support 394 local fishing communities, 
100,000  Baht per community,  divided into  
Period  1: 1 March  - 30 September 2020:  14,400,000  Baht for 144 local fishing communities . 
Period 2 : 1 October 2020  - 30 September 2021:  25,000,000  Baht for 250 local fishing communities . 
8. Duration of the subsidy  
Period 1 : 1 March  - 30 September 2020 . 
Period 2 : 1 October 2020  - 30 September 2021 . 
IV.  COMMUNITY -BASED ECOLOGICAL FISHERY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT  
1. Title of the subsidy programme  
Community -based ecological fishery resource  management . 
2. Period covered by the notification  
1 January 2019  - 31 December 2021 . 
3. Policy objective and /or purpose of the subsidy  
1) To enable fishers to understand the principles, rationale, and necessity of implementing 
an ecosystems approach to manage fishery resources in coastal fishing communities 
that lead to actual practice for the efficient use of resources and sustainable 
development ; 
2) To conserve and restore coastal resources and utilize such resources in a balanced 
manner by the participat ion of the local fishing community ; G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
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 3) To create awareness among fishers to maintain a balance of the local coastal ecosystem . 
4. Background and authority for the subsidy including specifying the name of the laws relating 
to subsidies  
According to  Royal Ordinance on Fisheries B .E.2558 (2015)  and Royal Ordinance on Fisheries (No .2) 
B.E. 2560 (2017 ), the Department of Fisheries is authorized to promote the participation of local 
fisheries communities in the management, conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of aquatic 
resources.  
5. Form of the subsidy  
Transfer of knowledge on eco -based fishery resource management, including conservation, 
restoration, and sustainable utilization of fishery resources.  This includes supporting materials and 
equipment for carrying out activities to restore aq uatic resources.  
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided  
Thirty -two artisanal fishing communities/local fishing communities in Chonburi, Phetchaburi, 
Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Pattani, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 
Krabi, Phuket, P hang Nga, Trang, Satun, and Ranong . 
7. The amount of the subsidy  
The total budget is 4,327,800 Baht, divided into  
1) Fiscal Year 2019 (October 2018 to September 2019)  1,672,000 Baht ; 
2) Fiscal Year 2020 (October 2019 to September 2020)  735,000 Baht ; 
3) Fiscal Year 2021 (October 2020 to September 2021)  1,920,800 Baht . 
8. Duration of the subsidy  
October 2018  - September 2021 . 
V.  STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES IN ESTABLISHING BLUE CRAB BANKS TO RETURN 
BLUE CRABS TO THE THAI SEAS  
1. Title of the subsidy programme  
Strengthening communities in establishing blue crab banks to return blue crabs to the Thai seas . 
2. Period covered by the notification  
1 January 2019  - 31 December 2021 . 
3. Policy objective and /or purpose of the subsidy  
1) To expand the blue crab bank project to re store the blue crab to the Thai sea ; 
2) To transfer the knowledge of the process how to release baby crabs into natural water 
bodies to increase the survival rate after ; 
3) To increase the amount of baby blue crabs in nature . G/SCM/N/372/THA  
 
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 4. Background and authority for the sub sidy including specifying the name of the laws relating 
to subsidies  
The Department of Fisheries is responsible for implementing the project in accordance with the 
Cabinet meeting which agrees to expand the project "the blue crab banks to restore the blue crab 
to the Thai sea " to other coastal communities according to the context of each community condition.  
This is to restore the balance of marine resources as well as increasing trade opportunities which 
will lead to income generation at the foundation lev el and quality of life of people in the community.  
5. Form of the subsidy  
1) Transfer knowledge to communities about blue crab banks ; 
2) Support materials and solar power pack for carrying out the project activities ; 
3) Organize public relations activities to transfer knowledge about Blue Crab Bank and 
conservation of coastal fishery resources . 
6. To whom and how the subsidy is provided  
1) Fishing communities that operate blue crab banks ; 
2) Communities that want to set up a blue crab bank ; 
3) Youth and interested people i n various communities in the coastal provinces in the area 
of 190 communities . 
7. The amount of the subsidy  
8,514,150 Baht . 
8. Duration of the subsidy  
17 February 2019  - 31 January 2020 . 
 
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