The Office of the Consumer Protection Board is set to take legal action against seven property developers that failed to honour promises made to their buyers.
Secretary-general Jirachai Moontongroy said most of the cases involved construction delays or the inability to transfer houses as promised.
"More complaints about construction delays are anticipated as the labour shortage persists," he said. "But developers cannot claim delays are unavoidable."
The OCPB filed a resolution on Wednesday to sue seven developers including Woraluk Property Co for its inability to complete construction of Le Luk condo in Bangkok's Phra Khanong district as promised.
It is asking for a refund for buyers with 15% interest a year.
The office will also file a lawsuit against Worachit Dansirichai and Kalong Klinthong, owners of Baan Piam Suk housing project in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thong Chai district for house damage.
Ananda Development Two Co will be sued for insufficient parking lots at Ideo Phayathai condo project, where the developer is being asked to pay 882,000 baht as compensation.
Nirandorn Land and House 1994 Co is being sued for 1.685 million baht with interest on behalf of a buyer at one of its projects in Ratchaburi's Muang district, as the house is built in an area underneath a high-voltage electricity line.
The Property Home Expert Co is being sued for 1.34 million baht with interest for a buyer of a two-storey house in Bangkok's Kannayao district, as construction was not finished as promised.
Niran Property Co is being asked to refund 75,200 baht with interest on behalf of a buyer who paid 359,000 baht for a condo at Niran City Bang Kae in Bangkok's Phasicharoen district, as the developer was unable to complete construction as promised.
In addition, 32 people complained about leases at Siam Paradise Night Bazaar on Sukhumvit Road with two firms _ Siam Bangkok Market Co and Siam Paradise Night Bazaar Co. The OCPB suit is asking for a refund of 5.3 million baht with interest for the complainants.
Another suit involves exaggerated advertising by Ford Sales and Service (Thailand), which claimed "one tank [80 litres in volume] could last for more than 1,600 kilometres." The OCPB asked King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok to test the statement and it found the claim to be untrue, said the board. Its suit asks Ford to withdraw the ad and pay a 50,000-baht fine for misleading consumers.