The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has adopted a more proactive approach to strengthening consumer protection, says Prime Minister's Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi.
Speaking in a radio interview, Ms Supamas said she instructed the OCPB to reach out to help consumers instead of acting after complaints were lodged. The new approach focuses on being "fast, proactive, decisive and dependable". The OCPB works closely with other agencies to ensure consumers receive assistance more quickly.
Among recent cases, the agency intervened in complaints involving Volvo EX30 vehicles and assisted consumers in a dispute involving a prefabricated house contractor that failed to deliver homes as agreed. Ms Supamas also said the government plans to push forward the proposed Lemon Law, or the product defect liability bill, before submitting it to parliament.
The bill would presume that defects discovered within a specified period exist at the time of delivery. The period would be six months for general products and one year for vehicles. Consumers would be entitled to request replacements within seven days for general products and within 14 days for electrical and electronic goods.
Sellers would also be required to complete repairs within 60 days, or 90 days in the case of vehicles. Under hire-purchase agreements, consumers would be granted the same rights as buyers and could defer instalment payments until defective products are repaired or replaced, she said.
"Consumers face fraud and unfair practices on a daily basis," she said.
