Bangkok:Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has directed the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to assist victims of a scam involving fake Japanese concert tickets. The initiative aims to ensure affected individuals recover their funds following the concert's cancellation.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas, overseeing the OCPB, instructed the board to expedite investigations and support citizens who purchased the fraudulent tickets. She has tasked Mr. Ronnarong Poolpipat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, with examining the ticket sales process, payment receipts, and refund procedures. Coordination with relevant agencies is also underway to secure consumers' rights.
The directive follows a complaint filed on October 26 by "Hay Apaporn Nakhon Sawan" and other victims with the Consumer Protection Board (CPB). They reported issues related to the concert's organization in Japan, which led to its cancellation and impacted ticket holders. Ms. Supamas has urged the CPB to quickly gather information from affected buyers, verify refund statuses, and overcome any existing obstacles to resolve the situation.
Emphasizing the importance of consumer rights, Ms. Supamas stated, "People paid for tickets to attend the concert. When the performance was canceled, ticket buyers must receive clear clarification on who to contact for a refund, the procedure, and when they will receive their money back." She insisted on prioritizing ticket buyers' rights and ensuring they receive justice.
The CPB will review evidence of ticket purchases, payment methods, and event terms to determine appropriate actions. If legal requirements are met, the board will expedite mediation to compensate consumers and consider legal action if necessary. For cases outside its jurisdiction, it will collaborate with the responsible agencies and inform complainants about the procedures.
Ms. Supamas has also directed a probe into online advertisements related to ticket sales. Should any misleading claims be identified, legal measures will be pursued. In instances suggestive of fraud, coordination with investigators and victim advisories for filing complaints are in place, with ongoing monitoring of consumer protection progress.
Affected individuals who have not received refunds or suffered losses are advised to keep purchase proofs, transfer records, chat messages, and relevant advertisements for investigation. Complaints and information submissions can be made through the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, the website www.ocpb.go.th, or OCPB offices nationwide.