Abstract:
As the patterns of trades and production technologies are modernized, laissez-faire economic concept are gaining strength. This pattern of evolution leads to the weakening of practice of consumer protection under the existing legal regimes. Several jurisdictions attempt to develop various legal instruments and administrative devices to improve both the fairness and speed of their practices of consumer protection concept, especially with respect to the accessability in information to their consumer and the leal remedies afforded to those suffering at the bands of the manufacturers or suppliers of goods and services without entering into a direct contractual relationship with then. The degree of comprehensiveness and efficiency of Thailands Consumer Protection Act B.E.2522 (1979) has been unsatisfactory in terms of affording any form of protection to Thai consumer. So has been the protection with respect to the labeling and advertising activities. These unsatisfactory consumer protection measures are worsened by several obstacles and inappropriate and ill-organized state instrumentalities in the implementation of consumer protect measures. The legal remedies available to Thai consumer can only be obtained through the normal court proceedings under the general legal rules of liabilities enshrined in the Civil and Commercial Code. The hassles and time consuming that Thai consumer have to experience in their efforts to secure the legal remedies simply add salt to the injuries that have been already inflicted on them in connection with their pursuit of the existing inadequate legal protection in terms of fairness and speed and the patent lack of administrative support. Other shortcomings are also prevalent. There are, for example, inappropriate organization and statutory and administrative measures. All these results in the existing unsatisfactory consumer protection practices. The author of this thesis attempts to review and assess the enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act B.E.2522 (1979) and the problems surrounding it as well as throw light onto the causes and effects of the these problems. Recommendations and proposals are also given aiming at improving the relevant legal principles and exercise of administrative measures to give a better consumer protection practice and in the hope that the Consumer Protection Act will be improve for the benefit of the Thai consumers.