Consumer Protection for Online Shopping: Cases of Consumers Being Damaged by Unsafe Products in Thailand

Abstract

With technological advances, products go through more complicated production processes. When consumers buy sophisticated products, problems tend to arise. For example, consumers find it difficult to detect unsoundness of a product when they buy it. This can cause harm to consumers’ physical and mental health: It can also affect their health, hygiene, and property. In addition, it is difficult for consumers to file a lawsuit to claim compensation for damage caused by unsafe products because the burden falls on consumers to prove unsoundness of the product, while manufacturers have all knowledge of the products. As a result, consumers lose their cases and do not get compensation for the damage. To mitigate such problems, Thailand has enacted the Product Liability Act to cope with damages caused by unsafe products. This academic article discusses criteria under the act and analyzes its pros and cons. Based on an analysis, the act has criteria that is beneficial to consumers because it allows consumers to receive more compensation for damage caused by unsafe products. However, the act has some disadvantages. For example, it does not cover immovable property and services.