IBC泰國法律金融會計事務所International Business Consultancy

The Liability of Unsafe Products under Thai Product Liability Law

泰國產品責任法下的不安全產品責任

Due to economic recession led by COVID-19, some manufactures decide to reduce costs by changing production methods, designs, machinery or to reduce number of employees. These decisions may reduce costs and to help companies to survive, but it may also lead to lower quality goods. In the worst case, the lower quality goods may let the products become unsafe for its consumers to use under Thai Product Liability Act for Damage Caused by Unsafe Goods, hereinafter referred to as “Thai Product Liability Act”.[1] Thai Product Liability Act has been in forced for 14 years, but there are only a few related cases judged by the Supreme Courts as most of the cases are settled before the final judgement.

由於 COVID-19 導致的經濟衰退，一些製造商決定通過改變生產方法、設計或機械或減少員工人數來降低成本。這些決定可能會降低成本並幫助公司生存，但也可能導致產品質量下降。在最壞的情況下，根據《泰國產品不安全貨物造成的損害責任法》(簡稱《泰國產品責任法》)，劣質商品可能會讓產品對消費者不安全。《泰國產品責任法》已經強制執行14 年，但僅有幾件最高法院審理的相關案件，因為大多數案件在最終判決之前已經和解。

There are several types of entrepreneurs and business operators identified under the Product Liability Act as “potentially liable parties (“PLPs”) who may be penalized under the laws”:

根據《產品責任法》，有幾種類型的企業家和商業經營者被認定為“可能受到法律處罰的潛在責任方（“PLPs”）：

• Manufacturers or hirers

        製造商或 聘僱者

• Importers

      進口 商

• Goods which the manufactures, hirers, or importer cannot be identified

      無法識別製造商、 聘僱者或進口商的貨物

• Any other parties who use the name, trade name, trademark or statements of the alleged unsafe products or acts in a manner that causes from to be seen as manufactures, hires, or importers.

    任何人使用被指控的不安全產品的名稱、 商號、商標或聲明，或 以導致被視為製造商、聘僱者或進口 商的方式行事。

In addition, “product” is any kind of movable property which has been manufactured or imported for sales under the Product Liability Act, which includes agricultural products and electricity, but excluding these rules out by ministerial regulations. Therefore, real estate buyers are protected by Thai Civil and Commercial Code and Consumer Protection Act. Furthermore, “unsafe products” is classified as product which causes or may cause damage or injury due to a manufacturing defect, design defect, or lack of clear warning, instructions or other information about usage, maintenance, or preservation of the product under the Product Liability Act.

此外，“產品”是指根據《產品責任法》製造或進口用於銷售的任何種類的動產，包括農產品和電力，但不包括部級規定的規定。因此，房地產買家受到《泰國民商法》和《消費者保護法》的保護。此外，“不安全產品”是指由於製造缺陷、設計缺陷或缺乏明確的警告、說明或其他有關產品使用、維護或保存的資訊而導致或可能導致損壞或傷害的產品責任行為。

To claim damage, the aggrieved parties only need to prove that they suffered damage or injury from the PLP’s product, and that they had used and maintained the product properly. The aggrieved party does not need to prove which PLP caused the damage of injury. When PLP is facing claims, they can provide one of the following to avoid liability:

若要主張損失，受害方只需證明他們遭受PLP 產品的損壞或傷害，並且已經正確使用和維護該產品。受害方無需證明哪位PLP造成傷害損害。當 PLP 面臨索賠時，可以提供以下其中一項以避免責任：

• The product was not unsafe

      產品並非 不安全

• The injured person was aware that the product was unsafe

      受害人不知道 該產品不安全

• The injured person misused the product, even though there is clear information and warnings

      即使有明確的資訊和 警告，受害人誤用產品

If an aggrieved party wants to claim, it can either file a lawsuit in any court which has jurisdiction or by filing complaint at the Consumer Protection Board. In addition, foundation or association authorized by the Consumer Protection Board can file the complaint on behalf of the aggrieved consumer. The Consumer Protection Board is entitled under the Consumer Protection Act to order business owners to recall, destroy, or cease selling any unsafe products if the business owners fail to comply with the regulations.

如果受害方想要提出索賠，可以向任何有管轄權的法院提起訴訟，也可以向消費者保護委員會提出投訴。此外，消費者保護委員會授權的基金會或協會可以代表受害的消費者提出投訴。如果企業主不遵守規定，消費者保護委員會有權根據《消費者保護法》命令企業主召回、銷毀或停止銷售任何不安全的產品。

IBC International Consultancy is a Law, Finance, and Accounting firm located in Bangkok, Thailand. With Experienced lawyers, accountants, and financial advisers, we provided services including investment, tax, and legal consultants in Thailand. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via Line: @ibcfirm for further information.

IBC泰國法律金融會計事務所 (International Business Consultancy) 為一間位於曼谷的泰國法律金融會計事務所，由經驗豐富的律師、會計師、及財務顧問組成，可提供泰國投資、泰國稅收及泰國法律諮詢等服務。如果有什麼問題，可以隨時通過Line: @ibcfirm與我們聯繫。