
Today (16 June 2026), Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), revealed that the Cabinet meeting today approved the draft Product Liability Act B.E. .... or the Lemon Law, as proposed by the OCPB, to be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for further consideration. This marks a significant step in elevating Thailand’s consumer protection standards to align with international norms and ensuring fairness for citizens under the government policy led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. She assigned Mr. Pradermchai Boonchualue, Advisor to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and Ms. Patcharin Samsiripong, Secretary to the Minister, to monitor progress, while Mr. Ronarong Poolpivat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, is responsible for proposing this draft law.
Ms. Supamas stated that currently, consumers who purchase defective products often have to prove the defect themselves, while warranties depend on the seller’s conditions. Many cases involve repeated repairs without clear time limits, and pursuing rights beyond repairs usually requires legal action, which is time-consuming and costly. This law shifts the key principle from consumers having to prove defects to sellers being responsible for proving facts if defects occur within the legally specified period. It presumes the product was defective from the delivery date unless the seller can prove otherwise.
For general products, if defects appear within six months from delivery, it is presumed that the product was defective from the start. For automobiles, the protection period is set at one year. Consumers have four remedy options: repair, replacement, price reduction, or contract cancellation, depending on the nature and severity of the defect.
The law also sets clear repair timeframes: general products and motorcycles must be repaired within 60 days, and automobiles within 90 days from the date the product is received for repair. If the seller cannot complete repairs within these periods, consumers have the right to demand a price reduction, cancel the contract, or claim damages under the law.
In cases of significant defects, consumers may request immediate replacement. For general products, this right can be exercised within seven days, while electrical appliances and electronic devices allow 14 days from the date of receipt. For automobiles with safety-related, unrepairable defects, sellers must promptly replace the vehicle with a new one of the same type.
“After more than 10 years of consumer anticipation, this law represents a major shift in Thailand’s consumer protection system. Previously, consumers bore the burden of proving product defects; now sellers have increased responsibility when problems arise. Consumers will receive fair, swift justice with reduced costs and will avoid complicated legal processes as before. This law will establish a new standard for consumer protection in Thailand, reduce disputes between buyers and sellers, encourage businesses to improve product quality, and promote competition in quality and innovation, benefiting the overall economy,” Ms. Supamas said.
The draft law has undergone review by the Office of the Council of State and public consultations with citizens, businesses, and relevant agencies under Section 77 of the Constitution. It covers transactions between businesses and consumers, as well as business-to-business sales, hire-purchase contracts, credit-related purchase agreements, and exchange contracts. However, it excludes secondhand goods, live animals, and consumer-to-consumer sales.
“From now on, if consumers buy cars, mobile phones, or electrical appliances and encounter problems, they will no longer have to endure repeated repairs or bear the burden of proving defects themselves. The law clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of all parties. This is another important step by the government to ensure fairness for consumers nationwide,” Ms. Supamas said.
Consumers experiencing problems with products or services can file complaints via the OCPB hotline at 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the website OCPB.go.th, or at Damrongtham Centers nationwide.
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