Consumer Protection Law : Comparative Study on the Laws of Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR)

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study the theories and principles of the consumer protection law of the Kingdom of Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic
Republic (LPDR) which is a part of the Comparative Study on the consumer protection law in ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). This is to study the general law on
consumer protection including the in-charged organizations in order to weigh the readiness of each country for the ASEAN approach. The research findings revealed that the consumer protection law of both countries mostly be consistent. The laws provide the protection for De-facto consumer and the main ideas of consumer protection on advertising, label and contract are the same with the minor differences. Other areas of consumer protection would be in different specific laws under the various in-charged authorities. However, one provision which made LPRD enforcement to be narrower than Thailand’s one is the definition of “business” is short of “advertising agency”. Punishment measures and sanctions in LPRD is in procedure and consequence which the wrongdoer with no intention may have a chance of turning over a new leaf which might experience Thailand. Differently, LPRD’s measures do not have a provision for an