The National Reform Council on Monday rejected the first draft of legislation to establish an independent organisation for consumer protection.
The bill was defeated 145-72. Seven council members abstained from voting.
Saree Ongsomwang, who chairs an NRC committee on consumer-protection reform, said the bill had not been thrown out by the NRC, as the majority of the council approved the legislation in principle, but only wanted her committee to revise certain provisions.
The committee was required to resubmit it for deliberation within 30 days.
Under the bill, an independent organisation for consumer protection would be created, closing loopholes in the Consumer Protection Act of 1979 and preventing state or political interference in issues affecting consumers.
Ms Saree said the NRC members wanted the committee to review details of the bill concerning the potential overlapping of powers between the future independent organisation for consumer protection and the Office of the Consumer Protection Board under the Prime Minister's Office; lack of advocates from private manufacturing and service sectors; and the power given to the organisation to directly take legal action on behalf of the public without seeking approval from the Office of the Attorney General.