Supamas tackles unfair rental contracts, urges OCC to help 1,655 cases

Thairath•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Government cracks down on unfair rental practices in Bangkok and nationwide.

•Minister Supamas Isaraphakdee visited the Ramkhamhaeng area to inspect rental units.
•Key issues include exploitative contracts, unfair deposit retention, and overcharging for utilities.
•The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has received 1,655 complaints about rental housing since 2025.
•The Minister has directed the OCPB to strictly enforce laws against landlords using illegal contracts.

Overview

•On May 28, 2026, Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee inspected rental units in the Ramkhamhaeng 53 area, Wang Thonglang District, Bangkok.
•The inspection was conducted under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy emphasizing proactive collaboration to ensure fairness for citizens.
•The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has received a total of 1,655 complaints regarding housing rentals from 2025 to the present.
•The complaints are most frequently about unfair security deposit retention and overcharging for water and electricity bills.
•Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee stated that using illegal contracts is a serious offense punishable by imprisonment and fines, in order to uphold tenant rights.
•Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee ordered OCPB officials to conduct strict and continuous inspections of rental operators nationwide, resulting in legal action for violations.
•Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee emphasized that fairness must extend to all tenants, particularly students and low-income individuals, to ensure they receive accurate utility charges and full deposit refunds.
•Tenants are advised to clearly review contracts and utility billing methods before renting, and to keep all documents as evidence for potential complaints.

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Key Quotes

Supamas Isaraphakdee

"Using exploitative rental contracts or failing to make contracts legally compliant is a punishable offense with both jail time and fines, not a minor issue."

การใช้สัญญาที่เอาเปรียบผู้เช่า หรือไม่ทำสัญญาให้ถูกต้องตามที่กฎหมายกำหนด ถือเป็นความผิดที่มีโทษทั้งจำและปรับ ไม่ใช่เรื่องเล็ก

Supamas Isaraphakdee

"I affirm that fairness must reach all tenants, especially students and low-income individuals renting small rooms. These groups must receive actual utility costs and full security deposit refunds."

ดิฉันขอยืนยันว่าความเป็นธรรมต้องไปถึงผู้เช่าทุกคน โดยเฉพาะนักศึกษาและผู้มีรายได้น้อยที่เช่าห้องเล็ก ๆ คนกลุ่มนี้ต้องได้ค่าน้ำ-ค่าไฟตามจริงและได้เงินประกันคืนครบ

Key Entities

Person

Supamas(ศุภมาส)

Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, overseeing the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB).

Pradermchai Boonchuayluea(ประเดิมชัย บุญช่วยเหลือ)

Advisor to the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office.

Ronnarong Poolpipat(รณรงค์ พูลพิพัฒน์)

Secretary-General of the OCPB.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister of Thailand.

Sirimongkol Inkaew(ศิริมงคล อินทร์แก้ว)

President of the Student Organization of Ramkhamhaeng University.

Place

Ramkhamhaeng(รามคำแหง)

Location in Bangkok where rental units were inspected.

Wang Thonglang(วังทองหลาง)

District in Bangkok where the inspection took place.

Organization

OCPB(สคบ.)

Office of the Consumer Protection Board, responsible for consumer protection and law enforcement regarding rental contracts.

OCPB Connect

Mobile application for the Office of the Consumer Protection Board.

Damrongdhamma Centers(ศูนย์ดำรงธรรม)

Government centers that receive public complaints across all provinces.

Law

Committee on Contracts concerning the business of leasing buildings for residential purposes as a controlled contract business B.E. 2025(คณะกรรมการว่าด้วยสัญญา เรื่องให้ธุรกิจการให้เช่าอาคารเพื่ออยู่อาศัยเป็นธุรกิจที่ควบคุมสัญญา พ.ศ. 2025)

Regulation that controls contract businesses for residential leasing.