Bangkok: Santi Piyatat is taking legal action against fraudulent merchants involved in the “Half-Half Plus” scheme, after the number of complaints to the Consumer Protection Board surged to 66 cases in the first 14 days of the scheme. The complaints stem from price increases, false claims of participation, and VAT charges.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Santi Piyatat, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed information from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) regarding complaints received by the public regarding participating merchants in the “Half-Half Plus” program. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) found that some merchants were abusing the program’s terms and conditions for personal gain, contrary to the government’s genuine aim to help the public. The OCPB has coordinated with the Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance, the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, and provincial commerce offices nationwide to take legal action against merchants violating the program’s terms and conditions to protect consumer rights and prevent exploitation.
A compilation of complaints filed through 10 OCPB lines between October 29 and November 11, 2015, yielded a total of 66 complaints. The top complaints were merchants raising prices after participating in the program (29 cases). This was followed by merchants charging VAT (6 cases). Merchants posted signs or stated they were participating in the program but when consumers scanned the QR code to pay, they found out they weren’t participating (5 cases). Merchants charged fees for payments made through the program (5 cases). Finally, merchants sold prohibited goods such as cigarettes, liquor, and beer (4 cases). All of these issues reflect a lack of transparency among some participating merchants and impact consumer confidence in exercising their rights under the program’s terms and conditions.
Mr. Santi stated that the surge in complaints about the “Half-Half Plus” program, which has reached 66 nationwide, reflects the need for proactive oversight and rigorous law enforcement to maintain public confidence in government measures over the long term. The government therefore prioritizes collaboration between various agencies to ensure that participating merchants operate in a fair, transparent manner and do not exploit the public.
The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) will assist citizens in their spending rights, provide education to prevent fraud, and provide guidance to merchants to conduct business legally, avoiding price gouging, false advertising, or providing services that do not meet their expectations. Any exploitation or violation of terms and conditions will be investigated and legal action taken to ensure citizens can exercise their rights with confidence, be safe from fraud, and enjoy equal and comprehensive rights. This reflects a “fast, fair, equitable, and accessible” approach.