The office of Thai Consumer Protection Board’s (OCPB) Contract Committee has issued the Notification Prescribing the Business of Selling Condominium Units through Reservations as a Contract-Controlled Business B.E. 2567 (2024). The notice was published on 3 October 2024 and will take effect on 31 January 2025. This notification aims to prevent condominium project business operators/developers from exploiting consumers.
泰國消費者保護委員會(OCPB)合約委員會辦公室已發布佛曆2567年(2024年)《關於將透過預訂銷售公寓單位的業務規定為合約控制業務的通知》。該通知於2024年10月3日發布，並將於2025年1月31日生效。
The notification applies to all cases where a consumer enters into a reservation agreement with a developer and makes a payment to reserve a condo unit. The reservation can be made through traditional methods or electronic platforms, ensuring consumers are protected regardless of how they interact with developers. In addition, the reservation contract must be written in Thai and must include material terms and conditions as specified in the prescribed reservation contract form attached to the Notification (“Standard Reservation Contract”).
該通知適用於消費者與開發商簽署預訂協議並付款預訂公寓單位的所有情況。預訂可以透過傳統方法或電子平台進行，確保消費者無論如何與開發商交流都受到保護。此外，預訂合約必須以泰語書寫，並且必須包含通知所附規定預訂合約表格(“標準預訂合約”)中指定的重要條款和條件。
The reservation contract contains several consumer protection terms such as:
預訂合約包含多項消費者保護條款，例如:
Ø Termination Rights: Consumers can terminate the reservation if the developer fails to meet key conditions, such as obtaining the required construction permits, environmental approvals within the agreed timeframe or the business operator’s right to collect, compile, use, or disclose personal data of consumers in violation of the laws governing personal data protection.
終止合約的權利：如果開發商未能滿足重要條件，例如在約定的時間內獲得所需的施工許可證、環境核可、或經營者有權違反個人資訊保護法的規定，收集、整理、使用、揭露消費者的個人資訊，消費者可以終止預訂。
Ø Refunds: Clear guidelines ensure that consumers are entitled to refunds under specific circumstances, with limitations on the developer’s ability to confiscate reservation payments unless the consumer defaults.
退款：明確的指導方針確保消費者有權在特定情況下獲得退款，但開發商沒收預訂款項的能力受到限制，除非消費者違約。
Ø Termination if Loan is Not Approved: If it is known to the business operator that the consumer is seeking a loan from a financial institution and the loan is not approved within the agreed-upon time frame, either party can terminate the contract.
若貸款未獲批准則終止：若經營者知道消費者向金融機構申請貸款，且貸款未在約定期限內獲得批准，任何一方都可以解除合約。
If the reservation was made through electronic channels or digital platform, acting as an agent/intermediary, such reservation contract must also comply with the requirements under the laws governing electronic transactions.
如果預訂是透過電子管道或作為代理商/中介的數位平台進行，此類預訂合約也必須遵守電子交易法的要求。
In addition, the reservation contract must not contain any of the following terms and conditions:
此外，預訂合約不得包含以下任何條款和條件：
Ø Limiting the developer’s liability for breach of contract.
限制開發商的違約責任。
Ø The developer’s right to change the contract or various conditions imposing additional burden on the consumer, exceeding what was agreed upon at the time the contract was made.
開發商有權更改合約或各種條件，對消費者帶來超出簽訂合約時約定的額外負擔。
Ø The developer’s right to terminate the contract with the consumer without written notice, or without the material breach of contract by the consumer.
開發商有權在沒有書面通知或消費者沒有重大違約的情況下終止與消費者的合約。
Ø The developer’s right to confiscate all or part of the payment unless the consumer is in breach of the contract.
除消費者違反合約規定外，開發商有權沒收全部或部分款項。
Ø The developer’s right to treat reservation fees as a deposit or down payment.
開發商有權將預訂費視為押金或預付款。
Ø Charging additional fees to consumers for transferring reservation to another party.
向消費者收取將預訂轉讓給另一方的額外費用。
Ø The developer’s right to utilize common property in the project.
開發商對專案共有財產的使用權。
Ø The developer’s right to collect, compile, use, or disclose personal data of consumers in violation of the laws governing personal data protection.
開發者有權違反個人資料保護法的規定收集、整理、使用或揭露消費者的個人資料。
Developers must revise their reservation contracts to comply with the requirements set out in this notification by January 31, 2025. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in penalties of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to THB 200,000, or both. This is to ensure that the process of selling condominium units through reservations is conducted correctly and fairly. Developers must strictly adhere to the prescribed regulations to protect consumers' rights and maintain transparency in the business.
開發商必須在 2025 年 1 月 31 日之前修改其預訂合約，以符合本通知中規定的要求。未遵守這些要求將導致最高一年的監禁、最高 20 萬泰銖的罰款，或兩者併罰。這是為了確保透過預訂銷售公寓單位的過程正確且公平地進行。開發商必須嚴格遵守規定，保護消費者權益，維持業務透明度。
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