Saree Ongsomwang, 42, has been dubbed the "iron lady" for her battles to protect the rights of Thai consumers. The former nurse and current executive director of the Foundation for Consumers won a remarkable victory last month when a court decision on a plea filed with other civic groups resulted in the controversial privatisation of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) grinding to a spectacular halt.

Her next target is the petroleum firm PTT Plc, which is already listed on the stock market.

"What we've done is to protect the rights of Thai consumers," she says, arguing the general public would have been taken advantage of in the privatisation of Egat and only a small group of people and big investors would have benefited.

Together with 11 other plaintiffs, Saree's organisation asked the Supreme Administrative Court to revoke two executive decrees issued by the Thaksin government for the privatisation of Egat on the grounds that both were illegal.

"It's clear that the Egat privatisation plan will eventually hurt consumers as the new structure of electricity generation will lead to passing the financial burden and costs on to consumers via an unfair fuel-charge mechanism," she had argued.

"While I agree that our energy sector needs to undergo major changes, the proposed privatisation plan is not the answer. We need to reform the energy sector before we consider privatisation. For instance, electricity production has to be restructured while power transmission lines must remain state-owned infrastructure, not private property.

"We also need an independent regulatory body that promotes public participation and transparency in the management of energy affairs. The reform effort should also include alternative energy sources."

Saree and other civic groups last week announced a plan to take similar action against PTT Plc.

In her opinion, the privatisation of the former Petroleum Authority of Thailand a few years ago focused on only the money-making components of this former state enterprise, whereas undue financial burden was passed on to consumers.

"Some people may call us troublemakers or demonstrators who oppose national development. The fact is, we're not against change but want to ensure that any changes are in the long-term benefit of consumers and society at large," she says.

A graduate from Chulalongkorn University's nursing faculty, Saree has long championed the cause of public good.

"I grew up in the rural area of Ranong's Kraburi district where there was a rice mill and a rubber plantation. My childhood dream was to help sick and needy people so I worked as a nurse for three years after college," she says.

Saree later earned a master's degree in social science from Thammasat University.

She started in the field of non-government organisations (NGOs) by joining an NGO coordinating committee on public health issues.

"Most of my work during that period was to help individuals. Later, I felt I should focus on structural or policy issues, especially those affecting the rights of consumers.

"Among these are universal coverage of primary healthcare, industrial standards of consumer products, credit card companies' unfair treatment of customers and home buyers being treated unfairly by property developers," she says.

Currently, the Foundation for Consumers is processing 38 complaints from the public for further legal action.

Earlier, the foundation sued the PM's Office for its alleged negligence in enforcing the concession contract granted to iTV Plc to operate a free TV station as consumer rights were infringed upon in terms of reduction of news content.

"Thai consumers' awareness of their rights has been growing rapidly. More and more people have learnt that they have basic rights because they have more access to public information. Many people also care for society at large in terms of consumer rights," Saree says.

"For instance, during our fight to stop Egat's privatisation, we got large amounts of donations from both domestic and international sources who support our cause.

"As a result, we have been able to set up a fund worth some Bt600,000 for legal expenses. In the future, we will try to develop a broader consumer movement so that we can do more to help those in need.

"We hope to instil the view that all those whose rights are infringed upon should fight for themselves first and then expand that awareness to fight to their communities.

"This year, we hope to have up to 70 coordinating centres in some 40 provinces, up from 29 centres in 21 provinces last year. We also have a popular publication called the Smart Buying magazine," she says, adding that the organisation also has a website at www.consumerthai.org.

Kamol Sukin

kamol@nationgroup.com

The Nation