ASEAN telecommunication consumer protection advocates make Chiang Rai Declaration

Chiang Rai, Thailand, 30 July, 2009— The Telecommunications Consumer Protection Institute (TCI) along with three other consumer protection organizations launches the Chiang Rai Declaration which pushes for consumer protection in the area of ASEAN telecommunications.

Delegates from 8 countries’ consumer protection organizations - Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain and Thailand - shared their experiences in working on protecting consumer rights in telecommunications. The delegates voiced their concerns on the common problems facing consumers of telecommunications services such as dispute settlement between consumers and operators, inaccuracy in billing systems, telemarketing, and spam SMS. It was agreed that there is limited access to knowledge regarding the telecommunication regulations and consumer rights, inequality in access to services especially for people with disabilities, and the health impacts of the telecommunications usage.

Jiraporn Limpananont, Chairperson of the South East Asian Consumer Council (SEA CC) emphasized “the issues of consumers and consumer protection in telecommunication are an international problem, hence there needs to be a collaboration on the regional level. This conference aimed to support and strengthen the ASEAN consumer protection network in telecommunication following of the establishment of the South East Asian Consumers Council since 2007”.

“Regional cooperation in consumer protection in telecommunications services is important and necessary. All delegates agreed on the draft of Chiang Rai Declaration for consumer protection in telecommunications to

• actively continue to work by engaging all stakeholders in telecommunication services harmonize basic standards for consumer protection in telecommunication in the region

• recognize telecommunications as an essential service

• recognize consumer protection in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint using a “people-centered approach”

• set up a telecommunication division in existing consumer organizations

• organize a yearly forum and yearly campaigning theme/issue especially on the impacts of telecommunications on health and sustainable consumption

• undertake comparative research and/or survey on consumer protections in telecommunication services particularly on accessibility for all, transparency and accuracy, billing and accuracy, and health safety

• create a website for information sharing

• request the governments in ASEAN to involve and support consumer organizations in activities that promote consumer protections in telecommunications

• promote Corporate Social Responsibility in telecommunication services” said Ms.Saree Aongsomwang, Ms.Indah Suksmaningsih, and Mr.Seah Seng Choon delegates from Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore

Dr.Prawit Leesatapornwongsa, Director of TCI stated that “the most urgent problem facing Thai consumers is telemarketing and spam SMS. This issue is identified on the top of the priority list for TCI to resolve employing the approach of the Do-Not-Call movement in Hong Kong and Australia. This approach requires the operators to register and give clear instructions for consumers to refuse the reception of SMS and spam calls.”

The Telecommunications Consumer Protection Institute (TCI) under The Office of National Telecommunications Commission, Thailand joined forces with other 3 consumer protection organizations namely the South East Asian Consumer Council (SEA CC) Consumers International (CI) and the Foundation for Consumers, Thailand (FFC), in hosting the first ASEAN consumer protection conference “The Next Wave of ASEAN Consumer Protection in Telecommunications”. The event was held at Dusit Island Resort, Chiang Rai from 28-30, July 2009 in parallel with the 15th ASEAN Telecommunication Regulators’ Council Meeting hosted by Thailand.