Consumer Council Proposes Modernization of Consumer Protection Laws to Cover Online Trading.

Bangkok: The Consumer Organization Council has submitted three draft laws aimed at enhancing consumer protection, particularly in the realm of online trading, to the Thai House of Representatives. The submission, led by Ms. Sari Ongsomwang, Secretary-General of the Consumer Council Office, seeks to address the limitations of the existing Consumer Protection Act, which is seen as outdated. According to Thai News Agency, the proposed drafts include the Draft Consumer Protection Act B.E. ..., the Draft Food Act (No. ...) B.E. ..., and the Draft Product Liability Act, also known as the Lemon Law. These drafts were submitted to Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with Mr. Khampee Dithakorn acting as the recipient on behalf of the Speaker. Ms. Sari Ongsomwang highlighted that the current Consumer Protection Act, originally enacted in 1979 and revised three times, still falls short in comparison to international standards. While Thai law currently recognizes five consumer righ ts, international standards advocate for eight points of consumer rights. With the advent of the digital age, the Consumer Council argues for an expansion to ten consumer rights, aligning Thai consumer protection with global standards, especially concerning personal data and online trading. The proposed amendments emphasize comprehensive consumer rights that encompass the increasingly popular online trading formats. The initiative also aims to reform the committee structure to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness in dispute resolution, addressing the complexities of modern consumption patterns and the associated risks of unsafe products and misleading advertising. Mr. Kamphee Dithakorn, the spokesman, acknowledged the need for updated consumer protection laws, pointing out that the current legislation cannot keep pace with the evolving sales and service landscape. He stressed the importance of swift legal reforms to protect consumers from exploitation by manufacturers and sellers, committing to adv ance the matter to the President of the House of Representatives.