Consumer group to propose draft bill to govt

Saree Ongsomwang, manager of the foundation, said yesterday the proposal would be turned over to Parliament President Chai Chidchob and Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, as they oversee the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), after the foundation had tried to push the draft for 12 years.

"We gathered the names of more than 12,500 people who support the draft and it will be the first draft that will be submitted together with a name list," Saree said.

 She believes it would help comprehensively address the injustice long suffered by consumers.

"An independent organisation for consumers will ease limitations as it can file a case on behalf of affected consumers and propose academic opinions when consumer laws are issued. Its functions are obviously different from the CPB as the CPB has the power to punish businesses, but the organisation will be a mouthpiece for consumers," she said.

The foundation was open to considering the government's version of the bill, she said.

"If the independent consumer organisation draft prepared by the government has better contents, our consumer network will be pleased to support it though it's different from the one proposed by the foundation. For example, on the independence, authority and functions, status and method of setting up a committee of the organisation," she added.