Independent watchdog 'necessary': Thai consumer protection

[webfact]

Independent watchdog 'necessary'
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

Foundation reminds govt of provision in charter for consumer protection bodies

BANGKOK: -- The Foundation for Consumers yesterday called on the government to set up an independent consumer protection organisation following the discovery of packed rice contaminated with the pesticide methyl bromide.

Meanwhile, the foundation's secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang expressed her disappointment over the Thai Rice Packers Association's decision to cancel its appointment with her foundation yesterday, after the association initially said it wanted to seek collaboration with the consumer body to conduct regular tests on all brands of packed rice registered with the association.

Saree said the 1997 and 2007 constitutions stipulated that the government must set up an independent consumer protection agency to oversee consumer complaints and protect consumers from poor-quality food products.

However, in the last 16 years there had been no progress.

She said an independent watchdog would also oversee the government's policy affecting consumers, monitor the operations of state agencies, investigate potential cases of contamination and conduct regular tests on food products.

The draft bill for the independent consumer protection agency has already been studied by the joint committee of the lower and upper houses, but the committee has yet to submit the draft for consideration and endorsement, Saree said.

The Office of Consumer Protection is currently the only body overseeing consumer protection, but it is a government-run agency, not set up independently to protect the consumer.

Krongthip Thanatvornlap, secretary-general of the Thai Rice Packers Association, said yesterday that the appointment with the Foundation for Consumers had been cancelled because the association's president had an urgent meeting.

She said a new appointment would be made with the foundation next week.

"The Thai Rice Packers Association has already sent a letter to the Foundation for Consumers informing them that we would like to postpone our meeting until next week," she said.

However, Krongthip, who is also vice president of Sandee Rice Co, added that she wanted the foundation to provide her with details of the laboratory tests on the packed rice sample that tested positive for methyl bromide.

She said her company had never used the chemical to fumigate its rice products.

The results of a similar test conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the company's packed rice products has shown no methyl bromide contamination.


-- The Nation 2013-07-20

[NongKhaiKid]

There's that word " independent " again but there's no such thing in Thailand

.

If the government was to set this up they would both directly and indirectly exercise control over terms of reference, membership and so on.

By definition a " watchdog " would be in the business of handling complaints, pointing out errors and flaws and when necessary perhaps criticising in no uncertain terms but in the current climate how can anyone do that with the ever present threat of a lawsuit ?

[Thai at Heart]

BANGKOK: -- The Foundation for Consumers yesterday called on the government to set up an independent consumer protection organisation following the discovery of packed rice contaminated with the pesticide methyl bromide.

How dim are these guys? An independent organisation asks the govt to set up a non independent organisation?

[DocN]

With a defamation law like the one in Thailand...how can there be an "independent watchdog"?

[Thai at Heart]

Now this is something porntip could sink her teeth into.

Thailand's consumer watchdog.

[A Member]

BANGKOK: -- The Foundation for Consumers yesterday called on the government to set up an independent consumer protection organisation following the discovery of packed rice contaminated with the pesticide methyl bromide.

How dim are these guys? An independent organisation asks the govt to set up a non independent organisation?

The essence of " Thainess "

[A Member]

There's that word " independent " again but there's no such thing in Thailand

.

If the government was to set this up they would both directly and indirectly exercise control over terms of reference, membership and so on.

By definition a " watchdog " would be in the business of handling complaints, pointing out errors and flaws and when necessary perhaps criticising in no uncertain terms but in the current climate how can anyone do that with the ever present threat of a lawsuit ?

Why do people who you would think should know better insist on throwing " independent " around, it doesn't even make them sound clever ? This government especially will never allow anything they can't control or influence.

[doremifasol]

The Constitutions stipulated that the government must set up.............................

16 years.............and there had been NO progress.

I kid you not

[Thai at Heart]

The Constitutions stipulated that the government must set up.............................

16 years.............and there had been NO progress.

I kid you not

How can the government set up an independent anything?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Saree said the 1997 and 2007 constitutions stipulated that the government must set up an independent consumer protection agency to oversee consumer complaints and protect consumers from poor-quality food products.

However, in the last 16 years there had been no progress.

Sounds like they're right on schedule... Thai style.

Of course, no one in the government here wants anything "independent." That would kind of defeat the purpose of them being in charge and trying to have everything under their thumbs.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Now this is something porntip could sink her teeth into.

Thailand's consumer watchdog.

And fake bomb sniffing device endorser...

[pisico]

There's that word " independent " again but there's no such thing in Thailand

.

If the government was to set this up they would both directly and indirectly exercise control over terms of reference, membership and so on.

By definition a " watchdog " would be in the business of handling complaints, pointing out errors and flaws and when necessary perhaps criticising in no uncertain terms but in the current climate how can anyone do that with the ever present threat of a lawsuit ?

Why do people who you would think should know better insist on throwing " independent " around, it doesn't even make them sound clever ? This government especially will never allow anything they can't control or influence.

Add to that statement: "This government (OR ANY THAI GOVERNMENT) especially will never allow anything they can't control or influence."

Let us not forget that Thailand obsesses over feudal institutions, medieval religious doctrines, shirt colors and... skin-whitening technology."

Edited July 20, 2013 by pisico

[bigbamboo]

Now this is something porntip could sink her teeth into.

Thailand's consumer watchdog.

Sounds like a job for Yaowapa.

[BillyBobThai]

All samples should be tested in a EU or US lab.

[tomross46]

All samples should be tested in a EU or US lab.

There are EU , UN and US labs here in Thailand. Before they can test anything they must be requested by the government. The US lab is used to test all products utilized by the US Military. Some samples, like water, must be inspected by the military lab in Okinawa. Again these labs will not do anything unless requested.

[tomross46]

All samples should be tested in a EU or US lab.

There are EU , UN and US labs here in Thailand. Before they can test anything they must be requested by the government. The US lab is used to test all products utilized by the US Military. Some samples, like water, must be inspected by the military lab in Okinawa. Again these labs will not do anything unless requested.

[Thai at Heart]

All samples should be tested in a EU or US lab.

There are EU , UN and US labs here in Thailand. Before they can test anything they must be requested by the government. The US lab is used to test all products utilized by the US Military. Some samples, like water, must be inspected by the military lab in Okinawa. Again these labs will not do anything unless requested.

Pesticide labs are quite numerous.

[Thai at Heart]

All samples should be tested in a EU or US lab.

There are EU , UN and US labs here in Thailand. Before they can test anything they must be requested by the government. The US lab is used to test all products utilized by the US Military. Some samples, like water, must be inspected by the military lab in Okinawa. Again these labs will not do anything unless requested.

Pesticide labs are quite numerous.

[MaxLee]

Independent CORRUPTION AND ANTI-MINDF****** BRAINWASHING and FACE -XXXXX-posers watchdog 'necessary'

'nough said???? Let's hear it again, everybody!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited July 20, 2013 by MaxLee