MERCHANT MARINE PROMOTION ACT, B.E. 2521 (1978).

In this Act, merchant marine means the marine transport, marine insurance, marine navigation, shipyard and port businesses, including other businesses relating directly thereto, or as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations. In this Act, merchant marine means the marine transport, marine insurance, marine navigation, shipyard and port businesses, including other businesses relating directly thereto, or as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations. There shall be a Commission called the Maritime Promotion Commission, consisting of the Minister of Transport and Communications as Chairperson. Section 11 gives the duties of the Committee. The Committee shall submit recommendations in order to fulfill an obligation under the international agreements on merchant marine, and provide advice relating to the development, promotion, control, protection, and coordination of merchant marine to the Council of Ministers, especially the recommendations for determining the following measures: (a) to develop both amount and capability of Thai vessel in marine transport; (b) to establish and/or promote merchant marine training institutions in order to produce the number and to extend the capabilities of officers, seaman as well as merchant marine entrepreneurs to meet both the needs of the country and international requirements; (c) to promote and control marine transport, marine insurance, marine navigation, shipyard and port businesses, including the use of communication equipment and navigational aids; and (d) to promote and protect marine transport entrepreneurs who are able to have title over Thai vessel, and shipper based in Thailand. In promoting merchant marine, the Government may impose measures and/or grant rights and benefits such as: (1) imposing whether the marine transport between Thailand and each foreign country shall be made by Thai vessel for not less than the proportion between the quantity of goods and freight as specified by the Royal Decree; (2) exempting or deducting rate of income tax on dividends to shareholders of the juristic person carrying on marine transport business and having title over Thai vessel or carry on shipyard business as specified; etc.