Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.
Last updated on
Last reviewed: 25 September 2026. Read in Thai against the Consumer Case Procedure Act B.E. 2551, sections 2, 3 and 39 to 44, and the Product Liability Act B.E. 2551. Not verified in this review: the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 and its amendments, which the FAQ below summarises, and the commencement date of the Product Liability Act, which is given as the page has long stated it. Re-checked on 6 October 2026: read in Thai section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (consolidated), and sections 2, 5 and 15 of the Product Liability Act with its Gazette date (20 February 2008, in force one year later, 21 February 2009, so the date given below is right); the FAQ on consumer rights now lists the five statutory rights; the other FAQ answers on the Consumer Protection Board and its committees were not re-read. Re-checked on 10 October 2026: sections 10, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29, 31 and 33 of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (consolidated, as amended to No. 4 B.E. 2562) read in Thai; the FAQ had given the Board the power to stop advertisements, which the Act gives to the Committee on Advertisement, and the answers on the Board, labels, prior advertising opinions and the specialised committees now state what the Act provides.
Consumer Law in Thailand aims to protect consumers while they deal with business entrepreneurs. Ralph Nader, an American activist and Lawyer, helped to develop this field of law. It started by with the industry of automobiles in the United States. Governments then joined in and passed Laws specifying rules governing consumer consent and safety. Consumer Law in Thailand is a recent concept but it is spreading quickly. It is basically based on a law enabled in 1979 called the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522.
Consumer Law in Thailand is a set of rules aiming to protect the individuals against certain forms of sales. It covers contract stipulations and rules against impulsive buying or pressure sales tactics that are unfair to consumers.
There was a long history of failed attempts to overhaul the consumer protection system in Thailand. Around 2008-2009, the governments passed two laws to move into a new era.
Two significant laws acting are the foundation of this new era of consumer protection have already been passed. They both became active around 2008-2009 and completely changed consumer law in Thailand.
Two New Acts about Consumer Law in Thailand
These two additional laws provide greater protection to consumers. They reduced numerous obstacles in moving through a complex legal system. They also facilitated the consumers’ ability to claim for damages arising from products, services and even professional services.
The laws’ introduction has undoubtedly change the way of doing business in Thailand. Some operators may view the laws as a risk and burden, others may view them as an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage. Regardless of how operators view these changes, there is no choice other than to understand the implications of the new laws and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Consumer Case Procedure Act of Thailand
The first law is the Act on Court Proceedings for Consumer Cases B.E. 2551 (2008), generally known as the “Consumer Case Procedure Act”, which came into force on 24 August 2008, when 180 days from its publication in the Royal Gazette had passed (section 2). As its name suggests, this law relates to the rules governing court proceedings. Consumer Law in Thailand, in the past, faced several obstacles in initiating an action against a business.
The former court proceedings were time-consuming and difficult to for consumers lacking legal resources and funds to navigate. Furthermore, damages awarded were normally minimal.
As a result, consumers took alternative recourse by attempting to draw media attention to their causes and force business operators to make compensation. This highly publicized form of action was seen by many as damaging to the image of the nation and the credibility of Consumer Law in Thailand.
To address this ineffective process, the new Act mandates simpler, quicker and cheaper proceedings, as well as empowering the court to award a broader range of damages to ensure fairness for consumers.
This Act also introduced several new concepts into the Thai legal system: the court may award more than the consumer claimed where the claim understates the loss (section 39), reserve the right to revise an award for personal injury for up to ten years (section 40), order a defective product replaced rather than repaired (section 41), award punitive damages (section 42), order a dangerous product recalled (section 43), and join the shareholders or controllers of a company set up or run in bad faith as co-defendants (section 44).
The Consumer Cases Act may apply to cases involving unfair practices and ensure that consumers have access to legal remedies. It applies to cases arising from the consumption of products and services, and to cases under the Product Liability Act. This means cases between consumers and business operators with respect to the sale of all kinds of goods, sale of condominium units, construction agreements, hire-purchase agreements, leasing, loans between banks and consumers, credit card services, medical services, hotel services, accounting services, insurance, etc. are all consumer cases which are subject to the new consumer friendly proceedings under the Consumer Cases Act.
Because the definition of a consumer case is broad (section 3), a large share of ordinary disputes between individuals and businesses now falls under this Act. This clearly underscores the impact this Act will have on the business landscape and the challenges that lie ahead for business operators.
The second law: The product liability Act.
The second law is The Product Liability Act of Thailand, which will cover products sold after Feb 21, 2009.
In today’s world of high technology, consumers are often unable to understand the manufacturing and design of the products they purchase. As well, many low-quality products from foreign countries are imported to and sold on the Thai market. Former legislation failed to provide adequate protection to consumers from damages sustained as a result of unsafe products. As such, the time is ripe for reform to product liability laws in Thailand.
Thailand’s consumer protection and product liability laws have been under significant transformation around 2008-2009. They brought a new era of enhanced consumer rights and safeguards. Two crucial laws serve as the pillars of this evolution. These laws aim to simplify legal proceedings, empower consumers to claim damages for various issues, and reshape the Consumer Law in Thailand.
Consumer Cases Act
The Consumer Cases Act: The first key law, the “Consumer Cases Act” (Act on Court Proceedings for Consumer Cases B.E. 2551), has been in effect since August 24, 2008. It focuses on streamlining court procedures to offer consumers a simpler, quicker, and more affordable process for seeking justice. Previously, consumers faced numerous obstacles when taking legal action against businesses, which often deterred them due to the complexities and costs involved.
With the Consumer Cases Act, consumer law in Thailand now has an efficient means to pursue cases related to product and service consumption, including those under the Product Liability Act. This law covers a wide range of cases, such as disputes over goods sales, construction agreements, financial services, medical services, and more. Notably, the Act introduces novel concepts like punitive damages, compulsory recalls, replacement remedies, and new evidence rules, among others, to strengthen consumer protection further.
Consumer Law in Thailand today
The Product Liability Act: The second significant law, “The Act on Liability for Injuries from Unsafe Products, B.E. 2551,” or the “Product Liability Act,” took effect on February 21, 2009. This law addressed the rising complexity of modern products and the influx of low-quality imports. It protects consumers susceptible to injuries caused by unsafe items. The previous legislation failed to offer adequate protection against such damages. It prompted the need for a comprehensive reform in Thailand’s product liability laws.
The Product Liability Act aims to hold manufacturers and suppliers accountable for any injuries or damages caused by their products. This way, consumers can confidently purchase goods without worrying about safety concerns. The applies to products sold after the effective date, and it signifies the government’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests in an ever-evolving marketplace. As we saw, there was a significant evolution in the consumer law in Thailand.
These recent laws created an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to consumer well-being. They could gain a competitive advantage in the market. For consumers, these changes offer greater confidence and protection when purchasing products and availing services. As Thailand embraces consumer law, both businesses and consumers must adapt. It is an evolving legal landscape and its positive impact on the nation’s economy and consumer welfare.
FAQs about Consumer law in Thailand
What is the Consumer Protection Act in Thailand?
The Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 is a law in Thailand designed to safeguard consumer rights and ensure that goods and services meet necessary standards. It provides a framework for addressing issues that may cause misunderstanding or involve unfair business practices.
Who oversees consumer protection in Thailand?
The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) oversees consumer protection in Thailand. This office is responsible for enforcing the consumer protection law and ensuring that consumers have the right to receive correct information and fair treatment.
What are the rights of consumers in Thailand under this law?
Section 4 of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 gives consumers five rights: to correct and sufficient information, including descriptions of quality, about goods or services; to free choice of goods or services; to safety in using them; to fairness in contracting; and to have an injury considered and compensated, in each case as that Act or the specific law provides.
How does the Committee on Advertisement protect consumers?
The Committee on Advertisement shall monitor and regulate advertisements to ensure they do not cause misunderstanding or contain statements that are misleading. The advertisement must comply with guidelines to safeguard consumer rights.
What actions can the Consumer Protection Board take against businesses?
The Board itself considers complaints from consumers, mediates disputes before a case is filed, decides appeals against the orders of its specialised committees, and can sue a business on behalf of consumers (Consumer Protection Act section 10). Orders against a business come from the specialised committees: the Committee on Advertisement can order an advertisement corrected, ban particular statements or the advertisement itself, and require a corrective advertisement (section 27), and can suspend an advertisement it suspects is false or exaggerated while the advertiser proves its claims (section 28); the Committee on Labels can order a non-compliant label withdrawn or corrected (section 33).
Are there specific guidelines for product labeling in Thailand?
Yes, for goods the Committee on Labels designates as label-controlled. Their labels must be truthful and free of statements that could mislead on a material point, and must give the maker or importer, where the goods were made or imported from, what the product is, and the price, quantity, directions, warnings and expiry date as the Committee prescribes (Consumer Protection Act section 31).
Q: What should a businessman do if they are doubtful whether their practices comply with the law?
A business that is unsure whether an advertisement complies may ask the Committee on Advertisement for its opinion before running it. The Committee must answer within 30 days, and if it does not, it is deemed to have approved; anything done in line with the opinion is not a criminal offence, although the Committee may later decide differently for good reason (Consumer Protection Act section 29).
What are the specialised committees under the Consumer Protection Act?
The Act sets up four standing specialised committees, on advertising, on the safety of goods and services, on labels and on contracts, each of seven to thirteen qualified members appointed by the Board for three years (Consumer Protection Act section 14). The Board and these committees may also appoint subcommittees for particular tasks (section 15).
How are consumer complaints handled in Thailand?
Consumer complaints are handled by the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, which investigates and takes necessary action to resolve disputes. They ensure that consumers receive fair treatment and that businesses adhere to consumer protection laws.
What is the role of the Committee on Advertisement in relation to Thai consumer protection?
he Committee on Advertisement may evaluate and regulate advertising practices to ensure they comply with the consumer protection law. Their role is to prevent advertisements that may cause misunderstanding or contain misleading statements.
- The Civil and Commercial Code of Thailandwill teach you more about civil liability.
Thai Law Updates, free by email
Plain-English updates on Thai law changes that affect foreigners: property, visas, marriage, business and wills. One short email a month from a firm practicing since 2006. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.