Thailand's Debt Collection Act B.E. 2558: collector obligations and debtor rights

Thailand’s Debt Collection Act B.E. 2558 (2015) regulates debt collection so that it is fair, protects debtors from inappropriate practices, and requires collection businesses to operate transparently.

Who must comply

Collectors — both lenders that extend credit in the ordinary course of business and those authorized to collect on their behalf — must comply with the Act. Debt collection businesses must be registered or licensed as the law requires.

Max Group was certified to operate debt collection by the Lawyers Council of Thailand on 22 April 2016.

Key obligations

• Contact only the debtor or a person the debtor has named
• When contacting others to locate a debtor, never reveal that the contact concerns a debt
• Identify the collector and the creditor that authorized the collection
• Contact only at the places and times allowed by law, and not unreasonably often

Prohibited conduct

• Threats, violence, or harm to a person’s body, reputation or property
• Insulting language
• Disclosing the debt to unrelated people
• Envelopes or messages that reveal the contact is about debt collection
• Posing as, or implying one is, a lawyer, government official or government agency
• Falsely suggesting criminal prosecution or seizure of assets

What debtors should do when contacted

1. Ask for the caller’s name, company and the creditor’s name
2. Check the balance directly with your creditor
3. Pay only into your creditor’s account — never into a personal account
4. Report inappropriate collection to the collection company, the provincial debt collection supervisory committee, or your local police station

Max Group complaints channels

If one of our staff contacts you inappropriately, please call 02-159-9922 ext. 6 or email customerservice@maxgroup.co.th. We will investigate and act fairly.

This article is general information, not legal advice for any specific case.