Thailand’s property sector was the subject of most complaints to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) during the first five months of this year.
The number of complaints rose by 68 percent, leading Secretary General Umpon Wongsiri to call a meeting with industry bodies to address the rising numbers.
The summoned associations are the Housing Business Association, the Thai Condominium Association, the Thai Real Estate Association, the Home Builder Association and the Thai Home Builders Association.
“We will gather and summarise the problems that were complained about and ask the associations to help notify their members to tackle the problems and prevent any possible problems in the future,” Umpon told the media.
Between January and May there were 752 complaints submitted to the OCPB regarding property projects. During the same period last year there were 448 cases submitted by consumers.
“Developers should be more cautious and should not take advantage of consumers, who have many ways to make a complaint,” Umpon said.
His organisation, together with the Phasicharoen District Office and Nong Khaem Land Office, visited a property project on Thiet Thai Road in Bangkok after receiving a complaint about the poor quality of construction.
Media reports last week alleged that half of the units in the townhouse project did not comply with the original sales and purchase agreements.
Umpon concluded” “If the number of complaints about property increases, we need to consider whether to take criminal cases against developers.”
Thailand’s Condominium Laws already provide for remedial measures in the event that transferred units are not as described as part of purchase agreements.
Andrew Batt, Group Editor of Dot Property Group, wrote this story. Send your news, views, press releases and comments to him at [email protected].
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