Laws and Regulations
Consumer Rights
Section 57 of the Thai Constitution provides that the rights of the people as consumers shall be protected as provided by law; and the law under paragraph one shall provide for an independent organization consisting of representatives of consumers for giving opinions on the enactment and issuance of laws, rules and regulations and on the determination of various measures for consumer protection purposes.
Section 4 of the 1977 consumer protection law provides that consumers have the following rights to protection:
- the right to receive correct and sufficient information and description as to the quality of goods or services;
- the right to enjoy freedom in the choice of goods or service;
- the right to expect safety in the use of goods or services;
- the right to receive a fair contract;
- the right to have the injury considered and compensated in accordance with the laws on such matters or with the provision of this Act.
Using Compliance Policy
In 2002 FDA tended to focus its operation on “food consumption” as the surveillance data had shown that bottled drinking-water quality was substandard. This year the project is still ongoing, using the good manufacturing practices (GMP) strategy, which was implemented recently by law. Under the new law, old manufacturers are required upgrade their production system within two years. On the other hand, for new manufacturers, their GMP standard compliance has to be certified before being given a licence. Finally, the manufacturers who fail to comply with the GMP standard will have their licence revoked. However, FDA has to implement the GMP standards program for drinking water and for other food products including ice cream and milk which are considered as risky foods in all provinces.
Regarding steroids, this year FDA will cooperate with Ramathibodi Hospital , which is faced with the steroid problems, in solving such problems. FDA has sent a note to the Religious Affairs Department and the Sangha Supreme Council asking for cooperation in the control of steroid use. The practice of mixing steroids with traditional medicines has been found to be widespread in a number of Buddhist monasteries. FDA has also requested that provincial public health offices cooperate with provincial education officers and provincial Sangha chiefs in the inspection of counterfeit or illegal drugs in their respective areas, and has requested that government hospitals buy drugs only from the manufacturers with GMP certification.
