PUBLISHED: 8 May 2025 at 18: 38
More than 70 people filed a petition with the Thai Lawyers Council on Thursday asking for legal counsel in relation to an alleged scam against the owner of a privately held hostel in Rangsit, Pathum Thani.
Wichian Chubtaisong, the lawyer’s leader, and Weerasak Chotiwanich, the mayor’s vice president, received the petitions.
The allegations include unlawful incarceration when tenants attempted to leave, illegal changes to hire agreements, which could be considered document fake under criminal law, and the arrest of personal items, such as iPads.
He emphasized that despite ongoing investigation, the large number of complainants and the alleged involvement of Rangsit University representatives indicate that this is a serious issue.
He urged important government organizations to look into the dormitory’s activities as well as its design standards, security standards, business licenses, and tax obligations.
Mr. Wichian confirmed that the government would establish a fact-finding panel and provide the patients with free legal counsel. The government will assist patients in filing complaints with the police or serve as a co-plaintiff alongside a common prosecutor, he added.
Following many complaints from college students about being coerced into harsh contracts, being intimidated, having their documents searched without permission, and being charged exorbitant fees when leaving, the case attracted widespread attention.
Late last month, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Jiraporn Sindhuprai, instructed the Consumer Protection Board and the Royal Thai Police to conduct an investigation in response to these studies.
Lertsak Raktham, the consumer safety club’s deal section director, and Pol Col Phatthanachai Phamonpiboon, the police station’s director, issued a summons to those suspected of being involved, including the user, following the order.
According to Mr. Lertsak, failing to appear could lead to up to a month in jail, a fine of up to 20,000 rmb, or both.
The hostel in question had been operating without a valid force under the Dormitory Act and had undergone improper structural changes, according to Wiporn Waewsriphong, area commander of Muang Pathum Thani.
The native city has been given the order to begin the demolition process. Only two out of the area’s roughly 200 dormitories are fully licensed, according to additional investigations, causing a wider examination strategy.
Nearly 100 victims had previously reported their situations to authorities by Thursday, and at least 71 cases had been actually filed. This is continuing to increase.