Supamas dispatched Patcharin to urgently assist over 150 pilgrims from Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat who were defrauded in Umrah package sales, with damages exceeding 3.7 million baht. She ordered the Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to follow up and swiftly restore justice to the victims.
4 Jul 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), revealed that yesterday (3 Jul 2026), she received reports concerning groups of Thai Muslim citizens from Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces who were suffering due to purchasing travel packages for the Umrah pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but were unable to travel as scheduled.
She assigned Ms. Patcharin Samsiripong, Secretary to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, to visit Suvarnabhumi Airport to listen to complaints from affected individuals and coordinate with Mr. Jeseth Thaiset, Deputy Minister of Interior, who personally came to hear the issues after being informed by Mr. Zakaria Sae, Member of Parliament for Narathiwat District 4 from the Bhumjaithai Party.
The government, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, is concerned about citizens being exploited in purchasing goods and services. It has instructed all agencies to concretely continue consumer protection policies by having the OCPB integrate work with the Ministry of Interior, Department of Tourism, Royal Thai Police, and Damrongtham Center to provide prompt assistance and legal action for the public.
Preliminary information from complainants shows that approximately 150 people were affected with total damages exceeding 3.7 million baht. The victims signed up for the Umrah pilgrimage through a certain organization and paid 25,000 baht each, while the full package price was about 45,000 baht. The organization claimed it would cover the difference from a fund. Initial checks with the Department of Tourism found the organization had no tour business license. Victims have filed complaints with police at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station, and authorities have arrested suspects and pressed initial charges.
Ms. Supamas said she is concerned for all affected pilgrims and understands that the Umrah pilgrimage is a matter of faith and a lifelong aspiration for many who have saved money. Upon learning of the issue, she immediately ordered the OCPB to visit and receive complaints on-site without waiting for victims to come forward. The OCPB will record all victims' information to carry out fact-finding, mediation, and coordination to ensure refunds are made as soon as possible.
Today, the OCPB is accelerating the acceptance of complaints and collecting additional victim information. Officials are reviewing evidence, payment documents, and contract details to support legal proceedings. They are also coordinating with the Department of Tourism, Royal Thai Police, and related agencies to track assets, expand investigations, prosecute offenders, and simultaneously expedite mediation and refund processes for the victims.
In this case, the OCPB has authority under the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979) to receive complaints, investigate potential consumer rights violations, and mediate damage compensation. The OCPB will coordinate with provincial consumer protection subcommittees in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat to facilitate victims who have returned home. It will work closely with the Department of Tourism and investigators to ensure victims receive justice and prompt remedies.
Ms. Patcharin stated that the OCPB is ready to receive information from all affected individuals and will coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure citizens' rights are protected and justice is delivered quickly. She conveyed Supamas's concern to those intending to undertake the Umrah pilgrimage to verify the operators’ licenses with the Department of Tourism before making payments, carefully review prices and package details—especially unusually low offers—and always keep payment receipts, contracts, and contact information.
In closing, Ms. Supamas said, “I urge those harmed by purchasing goods or services or whose consumer rights have been violated not to remain silent or face problems alone. Complaints can be filed through the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the website www.ocpb.go.th, or the Damrongtham Center hotline 1567. The government stands firmly alongside every consumer.”
