| Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
Bangkok, Thailand — October 20, 2025 The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen Indonesia (YLKI) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cross-border consumer protection between the two countries. Ms.Boonyuen Siritham, president of the Thailand Consumers Council and Ms. Niti Emiliana, Chairperson of YLKI represented their respective organizations.
The signing ceremony was also honored by the presence of Ms. Nichakorn Ponwatcharin, Legal Officer from the Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Mr.Khemratch Amornwatpong, representative of World Animal Protection, who joined as official witnesses.
Ms. Saree Aongsomwang, Secretary-General of the Thailand Consumers Council said that this collaboration marks an important step toward strengthening consumer protection at the regional level. With the rapid growth of cross-border trade and travel between Thailand and Indonesia, more than one million tourist exchanges annually, it has become increasingly vital for consumer organizations to work together.
“This partnership is not just about signing a document. But It’s about building a concrete framework to address common challenges — from e-commerce safety to sustainable consumption — that affect consumers in both countries,” she added.
Under the agreement, TCC and YLKI will establish a strategic framework for cooperation that will strengthen consumer support mechanisms for cross-border transactions between Thailand and Indonesia.
The cooperation will also pave the way for joint research on critical consumer issues, including e-commerce safety and sustainable consumption, as well as coordinated advocacy to influence regional consumer protection policies.
TCC’s Secretary-General emphasized that by joining forces, the two organizations can build a safer and more trustworthy marketplace for millions of consumers in both countries. This partnership sends a strong and unmistakable message: protecting consumer welfare is a top priority, and TCC and YLKI stand united in their commitment to uphold it.
“We are incredibly optimistic about the future of this collaboration and the positive impact it will have. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to learn from one another, to support each other’s work, and to build a stronger, more resilient consumer protection ecosystem” said Ms. Saree
Ms. Niti Emiliana, Chairperson of YLKI mentioned that The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the TCC and YLKI marks a promising new chapter in cross-border consumer protection, expanding cooperation between the two countries to better safeguard consumer rights in an increasingly interconnected marketplace.
Today, a growing number of Indonesian consumers purchase goods from Thailand, while many Thai consumers buy products from Indonesia. This surge in cross-border commerce presents both economic opportunities and new challenges. When problems arise, such as products not matching descriptions, defective items, or unresolved disputes, consumers often have little idea where to turn to for help.
“This MOU is particularly meaningful because TCC and YLKI have built a strong relationship over many years. Our cooperation goes beyond handling complaints it also includes research and studies on consumer issues. We believe this partnership will bring tangible benefits to both Thai and Indonesian consumers.” said Chairperson of YLKI.
Following the signing ceremony, representatives from TCC and YLKI held discussions to exchange information and share their experiences on pressing consumer protection issues. Both organizations identified remarkably similar challenges faced by consumers in their respective countries. The top concern for both sides remains fraud and scams, a growing problem in the digital era. Other key issues include illegal lending, online transactions, and communication-related problems such as unstable internet connectivity.
Leaders from both organizations emphasized that this exchange of knowledge and shared understanding will serve as a foundation for future collaboration.
By working together, TCC and YLKI aim to strengthen mechanisms for cross-border consumer protection, improve complaint handling, and support consumers navigating the increasingly complex digital marketplace.
This collaboration underscores the growing importance of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia to address consumer challenges that transcend national borders and to build a safer, fairer marketplace for millions across the region.
