Supamas led the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) team to inspect apartments in Udonthani city to crack down on exploitative lease contracts, stressing that water and electricity fees must not be marked up.
On 19 June 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), together with Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuayluang, Minister’s advisor, Dr. Patcharin Sam Siripong, Minister’s secretary, and Mr. Ronarong Phulphipat, CPB Secretary-General, conducted inspections of residential rental businesses in Mueang Udonthani District, Udonthani Province. This was a coordinated effort with the Udonthani Provincial Office, Udonthani Municipality, the provincial Damrongtham center, and Mueang Udonthani Police Station. The initiative follows proactive inspections carried out in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok in late May, under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy focusing on livelihood improvements and consumer protection.
Ms. Supamas revealed that the main concerns of tenants are inflated water and electricity charges, withholding of security deposits, and hidden contract costs, which directly affect workers, students, and low-income earners. The Contract Control Act B.E. 2568 (2025 CE) is now in force and clearly stipulates that water and electricity fees must not exceed the rates charged by the utility providers (Electricity Authority/Waterworks Authority) to the businesses, and the contract must clearly specify the calculation method. Advance rent and security deposits combined cannot exceed three months’ monthly rent. Security deposits must be returned within seven days after contract termination if no damage is found. Operators who fail to deliver contracts or use incorrect standard forms face imprisonment up to one year, fines up to 200,000 baht, or both.
Furthermore, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office clarified that the public should distinguish between "apartments," which have a single owner and fall under CPB’s contract control, and "condominiums," which are multi-unit buildings with shared ownership and managed by juristic persons; these are different cases. Other fees, such as parking or common area fees, if charged, must be clearly stated in the contract and not be duplicative.
"I have ordered the CPB to continue strict inspections nationwide. Every tenant must be treated fairly, pay water and electricity fees according to actual usage, and receive their security deposits back as entitled," Ms. Supamas stated.
The CPB also reminded tenants to carefully review contracts, bills, and receipts as evidence. If they find themselves exploited or treated unfairly, they can file complaints through the CPB hotline at 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the CPB website, or any provincial Damrongtham center across the country.