Today (14 May 2026), Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), revealed that following reports of substandard solar cell installation services resulting in melted equipment, burning odors, fire hazards, and no reduction in electricity bills—causing consumer damages exceeding 500,000 baht—she has instructed Mr. Ronarong Poolpipat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, to urgently investigate the facts. The investigation will also include checking the labeling of solar cell product groups, including solar panels, inverters, and batteries sold nationwide.
Ms. Supamas stated that labels are the primary tool consumers use to verify information before purchasing, especially for electrical devices directly affecting personal and property safety. Solar panels, inverters, and batteries are label-controlled products under Section 30 of the Consumer Protection Act of 1979. Operators must display complete and accurate labels. Violations carry penalties under Section 52: sellers face up to six months imprisonment or fines up to 100,000 baht, or both; producers or importers face up to one year imprisonment or fines up to 200,000 baht, or both. This aligns with government policy, as emphasized by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, calling for proactive consumer protection agency efforts.
In the reported complaint, installers used substandard equipment, altered electrical systems from three-phase to single-phase, and replaced copper wiring with aluminum wiring, causing voltage drops, power outages, equipment melting, and fire risks. The victims have filed criminal complaint number 743/2565 at Thapra Metropolitan Police Station. Investigators have completed the case file and suspects and forwarded them to the public prosecutor.
Ms. Supamas added that today, the OCPB contacted the complainants by phone to obtain additional facts. Preliminary findings indicate the business used online channels to offer installation services with contracts lacking detailed equipment specifications, creating a loophole that prevents consumers from verifying equipment standards before installation. The OCPB has scheduled a further fact-finding meeting with the complainants on 15 May 2026 to consider legal action against the business. Additionally, the OCPB will consider upgrading solar system installation services to "contract-controlled businesses" and solar equipment to "label-controlled products" specifically. Coordination will involve the Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Council of Engineers, and the Consumer Organizations Council as public representatives to comprehensively protect consumers.
“I urge the public planning to install solar cells to carefully check the labels on every piece of equipment before purchase, including the manufacturer's name, importer, origin, and the TISI certification mark. Keep all contract documents for rights protection in case of problems. Do not be misled by abnormally low prices or online advertisements without proper documentation, as this could cost you money, property, and personal safety. For businesses, if the OCPB finds products without labels, incorrect labeling, or false label information, strict legal action will be taken,” Ms. Supamas said.
Consumers experiencing problems from unfair product purchases or services can file complaints via the OCPB hotline at 1166, the OCPB Connect application, or the website.www.ocpb.go.thor at Damrongtham Centers in every province.
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