Good news for consumers, the Cabinet approved the draft of the Lemon Law. This law protects cases of defective products by shifting responsibility to sellers; if products require repeated repairs or break down, consumers can get immediate replacements.
Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), revealed that today's Cabinet meeting approved the draft Product Liability Act B.E. ... or the Lemon Law, as proposed by the OCPB, to be submitted to the National Assembly for further consideration. This marks a major step in raising Thailand's consumer protection standards to align with international norms and to ensure fairness for the public under the government led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. She assigned Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuaylue, advisor to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and Ms. Patcharin Samsiripong, secretary to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, to monitor progress. Mr. Ronarong Poolpipat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, is responsible for proposing this draft law.
Ms. Supamas said that currently, consumers who purchase products and find defects often have to prove the product was faulty from the start. Product warranties follow terms set by sellers, and many consumers must repeatedly repair products without clear time limits. If they want to exercise rights beyond repair, they must take legal action in court, which is time-consuming and costly. This law changes the key principle from consumers having to prove defects to sellers being responsible for proving facts. If defects occur within the legal timeframe, it is presumed the product was defective from the delivery date, unless the seller can prove otherwise.
Consumers' rights under the new law include four types of remedies: repair, product replacement, price reduction, or contract cancellation, depending on the problem. The protection periods are as follows:
“After more than 10 years of waiting for this law, it represents a major change in Thailand's consumer protection system. Previously, consumers bore the burden of proving product defects themselves. Now sellers are more accountable when problems arise. Consumers will receive fair and prompt treatment, reduce expenses, and avoid complicated legal processes. This law will set a new standard for Thai consumer protection, reduce disputes between buyers and sellers, encourage businesses to improve product quality, and promote competition in quality and innovation, benefiting the overall economy,” said Ms. Supamas.
The draft law has undergone review by the Office of the Council of State and public hearings involving citizens, businesses, and related agencies under Section 77 of the Constitution. It covers transactions between businesses and consumers, business-to-business sales, hire-purchase agreements, credit sales, and exchange contracts, but excludes used goods, live animals, and transactions between consumers.
“From now on, if consumers buy cars, mobile phones, or electrical appliances and find defects, they will no longer have to endure repeated repairs or bear the burden of proof themselves. The law clearly defines the rights and duties of all parties. This is another important step by the government to ensure fairness for consumers nationwide,” Ms. Supamas said.
Consumers facing problems with goods or services can file complaints via the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, the website OCPB.go.th, or Damrongtham centers across the country.
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