Anyone who has received phone calls or messages about debts might wonder whether creditors can collect debts at any time, how many times per day they can call, and if they can call on holidays. These matters are governed by law. Debt collection law. It clearly sets boundaries to ensure debt collection is conducted appropriately.
According to the Debt Collection Act B.E. 2558 (2015), Section 9, limits are set on the number of contacts allowed. Debt collectors must comply with conditions regarding timing, methods, and frequency of contacting debtors. Thairath Online has summarized these rules.
Debt collectors may contact debtors to collect debts no more than once per day. Any contact where the debtor acknowledges receiving the debt collection message counts as one attempt.
For example, sending a message via LINE that the debtor reads, or having a clear phone conversation about the debt with the debtor, counts as one debt collection attempt.
The Debt Collection Act B.E. 2558 (2015) specifies the hours during which creditors can contact debtors as follows:
Therefore, debt collection calls are allowed even on holidays but only within these specified hours.
Although creditors have the right to pursue debts, they must do so appropriately. They are prohibited from insulting, threatening, using violence, or publicly shaming debtors, as well as from disclosing debt information to others in ways the law forbids.
Exceeding the allowed number of contacts or calling outside permitted hours can result in administrative fines up to 100,000 baht. Using violence, threats, or harming debtors carries criminal penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment, fines up to 500,000 baht, or both.