Supamas visited Ramkhamhaeng to inspect rental rooms and apartments exploiting consumers, including unfair security deposit confiscation, inflated water and electricity charges, and exploitative contracts. She urged the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to urgently assist 1,655 cases and to enforce rental housing agreements nationwide across the country.
At 13:30 on 28 May 2026, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), conducted an inspection of housing rental businesses around Ramkhamhaeng 53, Wang Thonglang District, Bangkok. She was accompanied by Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuayluea, advisor to the Minister, Mr. Ronarong Poonpipat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, officials from Wang Thonglang District Office, Wang Thonglang Police Station, and representatives from the Consumer Organizations Council representing civil society. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy emphasizing inter-agency collaboration to proactively protect livelihoods and fairness for the public.
Ms. Supamas stated that housing is a crucial monthly expense, especially for workers, students, and low-income groups who must rent rooms. According to OCPB complaint statistics from 2025 to present, there have been 1,655 complaints related to housing rentals. The most common issue is unfair confiscation of security deposits, often due to landlords not clearly explaining actual damages, deducting amounts disproportionate to damage without evidence. The next frequent complaint concerns inflated water and electricity charges exceeding official rates, imposing unfair burdens on tenants.
Ms. Supamas added that under the 2025 announcement regulating rental agreements for residential buildings as a controlled contract business, landlords are prohibited from charging utilities above government rates. Tenants should know three basic rights: 1) Water and electricity charges must reflect actual usage at official rates without additional profit markup; 2) Security deposits must be refunded within 7 days if no damage exists, or within 14 days after deducting legitimate damages caused by tenants, excluding normal wear and tear; and 3) The total of security deposit plus advance rent must not exceed three months’ rent. Landlords are required to use standardized contracts set by the OCPB, which are fair to both parties and available for free download.
“Using contracts that exploit tenants or failing to provide legally compliant agreements is a punishable offense, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. This is not a minor issue. I have instructed OCPB officials to conduct strict and continuous inspections. Any operator found violating the law will face strict legal action. At the same time, OCPB is ready to advise landlords on adjusting contracts properly, aiming for fairness to tenants while ensuring landlords comply with the law. Those landlords who adapt quickly will gain tenant trust,” she said.
Ms. Supamas advised all tenants to carefully review contracts and clearly understand how utility charges are calculated before agreeing to rent. Tenants should keep copies of contracts, bills, and receipts as evidence in case problems arise. If exploited by apartment or room rentals, tenants can file complaints via the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, the website www.ocpb.go.th, or at provincial Damrongtham Centers.
“I affirm that fairness must reach every tenant, especially students and low-income individuals renting small rooms. These groups must be charged utilities at actual rates and receive their full security deposits back. I will not tolerate consumer exploitation, and the OCPB will continue inspections until all tenants nationwide receive equal fairness,” she emphasized.
Before leaving, Mr. Sirimongkol Inkaw, President of the Ramkhamhaeng University Student Organization, presented a letter of thanks to the government for addressing rental contract issues. He noted this benefits students and the general public, fosters community awareness, and sets an example for other housing operators.