Bangkok: Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has announced significant achievements by the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) over the past three months, highlighting the successful mediation of nearly 5,000 consumer disputes valued at over 24 million baht. She also outlined future plans aimed at tackling dangerous goods and online sales, with the integration of AI for real-time monitoring. Supamas assured that the government is prepared to take swift action against any consumer rights violations.
According to Thai News Agency, during the 5th/2026 meeting of the Consumer Protection Committee, chaired by Ms. Supamas at the Command Building, key strategies were discussed to enhance consumer safety. The Office of the Consumer Protection Committee (OCPC) has effectively mediated 4,920 complaints, totaling approximately 24.2 million baht. The CPB is committed to prosecuting offenders, especially in cases involving public safety and property.
The CPB has prioritized cases involving faulty water heaters, beauty products, fires, and issues with electric vehicles, all directly affecting consumer safety. Additionally, the CPB is pioneering consumer protection in high-risk sectors through initiatives like an e-book on electric vehicle labeling to aid informed consumer decisions. They are also promoting the "Right to Repair" concept and preparing regulations for solar cell and automotive repair industries to ensure fairness.
To expedite complaint management, the CPB has introduced the OCPB FastTrack system, an online tool for efficient complaint handling. Artificial intelligence is being implemented for real-time monitoring of online sales, enabling quicker identification of irregularities. The CPB collaborates with police and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to crack down on illegal activities, with several offenders already apprehended.
In legal developments, the CPB has advanced a draft Product Liability Act, approved by the Cabinet and under House committee consideration, to safeguard consumers from defective products. Laws on direct selling and advertising are also being reviewed to adapt to digital commerce trends. The CPB is expanding its FastTrack network and engaging with international consumer protection agencies to elevate standards.
Ms. Supamas highlighted the importance of consumer protection, noting the need for efficient assistance when consumers face issues. She addressed the prevalent problems with online shopping, where complaints have led to civil lawsuits in 27 cases, covering transactions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, involving a variety of products.
The CPB has strengthened mechanisms for monitoring online sales, ensuring illegal or inappropriate products are removed from distribution channels, thereby enhancing consumer confidence in online shopping. Inspections and suppression efforts have targeted potentially harmful products, such as seizing over 30,000 squishy toys in collaboration with the Academic Center for Driving Air Pollution Prevention and Resolution.
The CPB has also intensified efforts against illegal e-cigarette sales, conducting raids in Khlong Thom and seizing significant quantities of e-cigarettes and related products. The "White Rental Business" project has been introduced to promote compliance and transparency in the rental sector, aiming to empower consumers with better decision-making information.
Ms. Supamas emphasized the CPB's role in assisting consumers, enforcing legal actions, and developing preventive measures against future challenges, particularly those arising from increased online shopping. With evolving consumer behaviors, the CPB is committed to adapting its strategies to meet these changes and ensure consumer protection remains effective, ultimately enhancing public confidence in their purchasing decisions.