Commission needs new law to give it teeth

Govt urged to push through law to protect public from unfair practices

Consumer rights organisations are pushing for the passage of a new law to help an independent commission better protect consumers against unfair practices by both private and government sectors.

The Independent Consumer Protection Commission of the People's Sector, established in June, is seeking to address problems such as unannounced transaction fees imposed by various financial institutions, safety flaws in public-transportation systems and inequality in health-care schemes. However, it says, there are no laws to give it teeth.

"There have been repeated infringements on consumers' rights," commission member Supaporn Tinwattanakool said yesterday.

Dr Deunden Nikomborirak, also a commissioner and expert in finance and banking, said some consumers found that banks and financial institutions were charging them more than Bt2,000 for repayment or follow-up fees and many people were also unaware that some ATMs charged them for a simple cash withdrawal.

"In fact, the Bank of Thailand should require all financial institutions to inform customers of the fee before they start accessing the service," she said.

Deunden said the interest rate announced by many financial institutions for mortgage or instalment programmes these days was also rather misleading because the interest rate was always calculated based on the original principal.

"The rate is not calculated on the reduced principal after instalments are paid," she pointed out.

She and Supaporn were speaking at a press conference attended by up to 100 people, including representatives from relevant organisations such as the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Food and Drug Administration and the Internal Trade Department.

Little achieved after 15 years

Supaporn said consumers' rights activists had decided to establish the Independent Consumer Protection Commission of the People's Sector because the 15-year-long battle to push for the legislation of the Independent Consumer Protection Commission Act had not delivered satisfactory results.

The Independent Consumer Protection Commission Bill is still stuck in the Parliament, she said.

Sureerat Trimanka, who also works with the commission, said the government was being unfair to members of the social security scheme by demanding monthly contributions, when millions of other Thais get free treatment under the universal healthcare scheme.

"According to the Constitution, the government is duty-bound to ensure that people have equal access to healthcare services," she said.

Commission member Jiraporn Limpananon said the agency had drafted a strategy to better protect consumers.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/01/commission-needs-new-law-to-give-it-teeth/