BANGKOK, Thailand – The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) is filing civil lawsuits on behalf of consumers against a contractor accused of accepting payments for home construction projects before abandoning the work. The first two cases seek nearly 600,000 baht in compensation for affected homeowners. Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isarabhakdi, who chairs the Consumer Protection Board, said the OCPB has received complaints from 25 consumers. The agency is also coordinating with the Royal Thai Police and Damrongdharma Centers nationwide to identify and assist additional victims.
The board approved legal action in two initial cases. One lawsuit seeks 525,800 baht after a consumer paid 746,500 baht toward a 935,000-baht home-construction contract for work allegedly left unfinished. The second seeks 70,000 baht, plus statutory interest, after the contractor allegedly failed to repay an acknowledged debt. Minister Supamas said the OCPB will continue reviewing the remaining complaints and pursue legal action where appropriate. She also advised homeowners to carefully verify contractors, make payments according to construction progress, and keep all payment records. Consumers seeking assistance can file complaints through the OCPB Hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the ocpb.go.th website, or Damrongdharma Centers nationwide. (NNT)
