The year 2024 saw Thai consumers grappling with a variety of issues, with noise pollution, power-related problems, and scams topping the list of complaints. This article examines the main consumer concerns and the steps being taken to address them.

Noise Pollution: A Growing Urban Nuisance

Residential Areas Bear the Brunt

Noise pollution emerged as a significant concern for Thai residents in 2024, particularly in urban areas. Complaints ranged from construction noise to loud entertainment venues operating late into the night, affecting the quality of life for many city dwellers.

Power Problems: Reliability and Costs in Question

Outages and Billing Issues Spark Frustration

Power-related issues formed another major category of consumer complaints. Frequent outages in some areas and unexpected spikes in electricity bills led to widespread dissatisfaction among Thai consumers.

Scams on the Rise: Consumers Fall Victim

Digital Fraud Takes Center Stage

The increasing prevalence of scams, especially in the digital realm, was a significant cause for concern in 2024. Consumers reported falling victim to various fraudulent schemes, from online shopping scams to sophisticated phishing attempts.

Consumer Protection Measures

Government and NGOs Step Up

In response to these issues, both governmental bodies and consumer protection organizations have taken action. The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) has been at the forefront of addressing these complaints.

Class Action Lawsuit: A Landmark Case

Samsung Faces Legal Challenge

A notable development in consumer protection was the class action lawsuit filed against Samsung by the Thailand Consumers Council. The case, involving screen defects in various Galaxy models, represents a significant step in holding large corporations accountable.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Consumer Rights

Calls for Enhanced Legislation

As these issues persist, there are growing calls for stronger consumer protection laws in Thailand. Advocates are pushing for the implementation of a “Lemon Law” to provide better safeguards for consumers against defective products.

By addressing these key concerns and strengthening consumer protection measures, Thailand aims to create a more equitable marketplace for its citizens in the coming years.

Thailand’s score in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has dropped to 34 from 35 the previous year, despite a slight improvement in its global ranking. This development highlights the ongoing challenges in the country’s fight against corruption.

Global Rankings and Regional Performance

Thailand’s Position in ASEAN and Worldwide

In the global context, Thailand now ranks 107th out of 180 countries, sharing this position with Algeria, Brazil, Malawi, Nepal, and Niger. Within the ASEAN region, Thailand holds the fifth position, with Singapore leading the pack and Myanmar at the bottom.

Historical Context and Trends

A Decade of Fluctuating Scores

Over the past ten years, Thailand’s best CPI score was 38, achieved in both 2014 and 2015. The country’s performance has been inconsistent, with rankings varying widely depending on other nations’ scores. For instance, in 2022, Thailand jumped nine places to 101st despite only a one-point increase in its score.

Factors Influencing the Score

Perceived Lack of Transparency and Efficiency

The lower score in 2024 is attributed to evaluators’ concerns about the lack of transparency in government spending. Issues such as populist policies, personal gain from budgets, and inefficient resource allocation have negatively impacted Thailand’s image in terms of governance and integrity.

Business Environment and Corruption

Increased Perception of Corruption Risks

Investors doing business in Thailand have reported an increased risk of facing demands for bribes from government officials. Despite the government’s efforts to establish laws aimed at facilitating approval processes, experts believe these problems have not been effectively resolved.

Anti-Corruption Measures and Challenges

Need for Stronger Enforcement and Accountability

Evaluators have noted that the Thai government has not displayed sufficient efforts in addressing corruption. The country still lacks effective mechanisms to quickly investigate, prosecute, or punish corrupt officials, and there is a perceived lack of compensation for damages caused by corruption.

Global Context and Top Performers

Denmark Leads, While Others Struggle

In the global arena, Denmark topped the 2024 CPI with a score of 90, followed by Finland and Singapore. The survey reveals that corruption levels have stagnated or worsened in 148 countries, with the global average score remaining at 43.

Implications and Future Outlook

Call for Strengthened Anti-Corruption Efforts

Thailand’s slip in the CPI score underscores the need for more robust and effective anti-corruption measures. Improving transparency, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and fostering a culture of integrity in both public and private sectors will be crucial for Thailand to enhance its performance in future corruption perception indices.