The Consumer Northeast Network in collaboration with the Foundation for the Consumer, and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation has organized a seminar for provincial volunteers who help monitor the safety and security of public transport services in the Northeast. Deep concern over the increasing number of public transport accidents, especially public van accidents, in Northeastern provinces was the main focus of discussions by the Consumer Northeast Network in an attempt to find solutions to help all consumers.

Now the Consumer Northeast Network has issued a statement and made a proposal to the government sector to raise the safety standards of public transportation service providers. In order to do that, the government needs to enforce laws and regulations strictly, give appropriate, quick and fair compensation for loss and damage, and support those non-government organizations that obtain legal authority to help protect consumer’s rights according to the constitution.

Patiwat Chalermchart, a representative of the Consumer Northeast Network, said the proposal will be handed to every provincial land transport office across the Northeast region. Unless the relevant sectors take immediate action, the network will ask to hold discussions with them before invoking the law to push the government sector and the public transport companies to respond to the proposal.