BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isarabhakdi, who oversees the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), announced that real estate dispute mediation has returned over 8 million baht to consumers. This swift resolution follows Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s directive to ensure fairness in property contracts and reduce public financial burdens.
The initiative was closely monitored by Ministerial Advisor Pradermchai Boonchuayluea, Ministerial Secretary Dr. Patcharin Sumsiripong, and OCPB Secretary-General Ronnarong Phoolpipat. The OCPB resolved three major cases involving five condominium units. In the first case, a buyer canceled a contract for two units in Charoen Nakhon due to defects such as water leaks, malfunctioning equipment, and cracked walls, and received a refund of 7,765,380 baht. In the other two cases, buyers whose mortgage applications were denied received refunds of 55,000 baht and 245,023 baht.
The minister emphasized that purchasing a home is a significant investment and that consumers should not bear the costs of structural defects or rejected loans. She stated that defective properties must be repaired or refunded, and rejected mortgages must result in a return of funds. She has directed the OCPB to expedite all pending real estate complaints and to strictly inspect property contracts for compliance with Ministry of Interior regulations and 2024 Contract Control Committee standards.
OCPB Secretary-General Ronnarong Phoolpipat highlighted that the mediation process is free and efficient. He advised buyers to keep all payment records, contracts, and photographic evidence of defects to support dispute resolution. The government encourages the public to report unfair business practices. Consumers experiencing unfulfilled agreements or unfair refund denials can file complaints via the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the official website, or provincial Damrongdhama Centers. (NNT)
