Commerce Ministry will press charges against hospital operators overcharging foreigners

The Commerce Ministry would press charges against hospital operators overcharging foreigners for their services.

Department of Internal Trade Director-General Boonyarit Kalayanamit made the warning after recent complaints show several private hospitals were charging foreigners at a rate higher than normal.

Mr. Boonyarit said the 1999 Consumer Protection Act indicates all kinds of business operators must clearly display their service charges and capital cost. He explained the act covers hospital services and medicine costs as well. Medical establishments that do not follow this act may be fined of no more than 10,000 baht.

The Department of Internal Trade would summon hospital operators to inquire about their service charges, in order to determine whether their rates were justifiable, the Director General said. Operators violating its regulation are subjected to 7 years imprisonment or a 140,000-baht fine or both.

NNT

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