Bangkok: In a recent meeting of the Consumer Protection Committee, Thai lawmaker Prasertpong Sornnuwat called for an investigation into an official of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) allegedly linked to malpractices involving The Icon Group. This follows revelations that the official, previously stationed at the Prime Minister’s Office, might have facilitated questionable registrations, and is now unreachable after resigning.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Prasertpong, a member of the House of Representatives’ Consumer Protection Committee, highlighted concerns during a session attended by representatives from the Central Investigation Bureau and the CPB. He questioned the CPB’s role since 2018 when The Icon Group first approached them for registration. The CPB initially denied registration but later accepted it after re-evaluation of the company’s documents. Mr. Prasertpong stressed the lack of detail in the CPB’s review process due to heavy workloads and later discovered that an involved CPB office
r had left his position and could no longer be contacted.
During the committee meeting, it was clarified that the CPB had initially refused registration to The Icon Group, raising suspicions about what changed upon their successful second attempt. Mr. Prasertpong expressed his frustration over the CPB’s handling of the situation, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to restore the board’s integrity.
Furthermore, the deputy secretary-general of the CPB announced the formation of a multi-agency committee to investigate the incident and ascertain the facts. This move comes in response to the need to rehabilitate the CPB’s public image, tarnished by allegations of corruption and inefficiency.
Mr. Prasertpong also pointed out the lack of proactive action from the CPB in monitoring and regulating entities like The Icon Group, which had previously been the subject of complaints and a mediated refund. He underscored the importance of continuous oversight to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The
discussion also covered the ongoing investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau into an audio clip involving ‘Boss Paul’ and an unidentified man, which is currently under scientific analysis. Mr. Prasertpong remained confident in the Bureau’s capabilities and stressed the importance of not switching investigative bodies.
This call for accountability and transparency in the CPB’s operations reflects wider concerns over governance and the handling of corporate registrations in Thailand, pointing to potential reforms in oversight mechanisms.