The parliamentary session voted with 420 votes to pass the Lemon Law bill, which protects consumers by requiring replacement of defective products without the need for buyers to prove the defect themselves. The Cabinet's draft was adopted as the main version. Supamas emphasized her wish for Thai people to buy products with confidence and assured quality.
On 24 June 2026 at 18:00, Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and overseer of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), representing the Cabinet, presented the draft Product Liability Act 2026 to the House of Representatives for first reading consideration. The assembly approved the principle of all six related draft bills submitted together, including one proposed by Ms. Saree Ongsomwang and 21,111 voters, as well as drafts from the Cabinet, Mr. Kanpong Prayurasak MP from Bangkok's People Party with colleagues, Mr. Karavee Prisanantakul MP from Ang Thong of the Bhumjaithai Party with colleagues, Ms. Kattiya Sawatphol MP from the Pheu Thai Party list with colleagues, and Ms. Radklao Intawong Suwankiri MP from the Democrat Party list with colleagues.
The assembly passed the principle of the Product Liability Act 2026 draft with 420 votes in favor and no opposing or abstaining votes. It also resolved to use the Cabinet's draft as the primary version for further consideration with 275 votes and established a 24-member special committee to study the bill, setting a 15-day deadline for amendments.
This draft law is the first proposed by the government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to be submitted for parliamentary consideration, aligning with government policy emphasizing the enhancement of citizens' rights protection. The Cabinet approved it on 16 June 2026.
Ms. Supamas stated that many products today use complex technology, making it difficult for consumers to detect defects at purchase. Problems often appear after some use, and consumers have had to prove the pre-existence of defects themselves, causing loss of time, expenses, and unfairness. This law aims to relieve that burden and provide clear guarantees to consumers.
The bill establishes that sellers are liable for defective products, legally presuming that if a product fails within a specified period, it is considered defective from the delivery date, so buyers need not prove the defect themselves. The period is set at six months for general goods, electrical appliances, electronics, and motorcycles, and one year for cars.
The law grants buyers the right to request repair, replacement, price reduction, or contract termination with refund if serious defects occur. Buyers can immediately request replacement within 7 days for general goods and 14 days for electrical and electronic products from the delivery date. Repairs must be completed within 60 days for general goods and 90 days for cars. Strict liability applies to cars and motorcycles, where sellers are responsible for defects found within specified time and mileage limits.
Ms. Supamas added, “I want Thai consumers to buy products with confidence, expecting quality appropriate to the price paid. If problems arise, there must be a system for quick and fair resolution. This law will reduce disputes and litigation burdens and encourage businesses to focus more on product quality. This is an upgrade in consumer protection for Thailand to meet international standards.”
During the meeting, Mr. Kanpong Prayurasak, MP for Bangkok District 19 of the People Party, stated that if this law is enacted, defective or damaged products can be repaired and reused, so consumers will not need to buy new products immediately and can use their money for other purposes. It also promotes environmental responsibility, as many products like mobile phones or vehicles become electronic waste when discarded, harming the environment. Supporting repairs reduces waste and extends product life. Ethically, the bill encourages businesses to be more responsible and honest with consumers, fostering fair trade.
Meanwhile, Ms. Radklao Intawong Suwankiri, Democrat Party list MP and deputy party leader, representing the party proposing the Product Liability Act (Lemon Law), spoke in support of the bill and displayed a lemon fruit in Parliament to symbolize the issue of “products matching description but not quality” faced by many consumers. The Democrat Party has pushed this bill to raise Thai consumer protection to international standards, responding to many past cases where consumers suffered from defective products but had to bear the burden of proving defects themselves. She cited past incidents where consumers had to unite to protest and fight for justice for over 13 years, exposing gaps in Thai law failing to effectively protect the public.
Ms. Radklao said, “A major problem with Thailand’s current legal system is shifting the burden of proof onto consumers, who lack engineering knowledge, technology, and sufficient resources to fight large manufacturers. This is a crucial transition from a ‘buyer beware’ system to one where ‘sellers are responsible.’ Those who have the information, knowledge, and capability to prove defects should bear that burden, not consumers as before.”
