In a whirlwind of growing frustrations, a substantial number of consumers seek justice in a case involving a high-profile online retailer accused of selling substandard gold jewellery. The situation unfolded dramatically as twenty disgruntled individuals, who felt they had been duped by Kornkanok Suwannabut and her husband, Kanpol Rueng-aram, converged yesterday. They met with Pol Col Kraiwit Saenthaweesuk, the chief investigator of the Consumer Protection Police Division, pushing for legal action against the couple.
Anusorn Asurapong, the lawyer representing these twenty complainants, revealed that there are at least 135 more victims who could not be present to file their complaints. He noted that logistical challenges, such as residing in distant provinces or being overseas, prevented their attendance. According to him, the total damages suffered by these 155 complainants are estimated to amount to at least 2 million baht.
One frustrated complainant recounted their futile attempt to lodge a complaint with the Bor Win police in Chon Buri. They were met with refusal, with the police arguing that the complainant had been negligent for not verifying the quality of the jewellery before making the payment. This complainant, like many others, had previously hesitated to bring the case to light, fearing that the couple—known for their influential social media presence—would counter-sue for defamation.
Pol Col Kraiwit emphasized that further investigations would be necessary to determine whether Kornkanok and Kanpol engaged in false advertising. These two are prominent figures on social media, affectionately known as “Mae Tuck” and “Pa Beer”. They are accused by their customers of selling gold jewellery that contained less gold than advertised. Kornkanok had allegedly conducted numerous sales through live sessions on her social media channel, often stating that the jewellery business was her husband’s.
The fallout has seen hundreds of customers descending upon the couple’s gold shop in Bangkok, demanding refunds. The shop’s stance has been firm: full refunds would only be processed if the customers returned all merchandise, complete with any free gifts included in the package. This policy sparked further outrage, with some customers throwing the gifts back at the shop in a show of anger.
Others, however, agreed to the refund terms and signed documents relieving the couple of any further legal responsibility concerning the jewellery sales. The saga took another twist when it was disclosed that the origin of some gold items could not be verified, rendering them unsellable to other shops.
This unfolding drama, riddled with allegations of deceit and consumer betrayal, highlights the perils of online shopping, especially in the lucrative but precarious gold market. As this story develops, all eyes remain glued to the legal proceedings and how the situation might either resolve or further complicate the lives of both the sellers and the aggrieved buyers.
This is insane! How could they sell fake gold and get away with it for so long?
It’s all about their social media clout. They probably used it to intimidate anyone from speaking out.
Exactly! People are scared of being targeted if they expose these influencers.
True, but that’s why we have consumer protection laws! They need to be held accountable.
Social media presence can indeed create a protective shield. But it’s also a double-edged sword. Once public trust is broken, the repercussions are severe.
I followed Mae Tuck for years! I’ve bought jewelry from her too. This is so disappointing.
It’s the consumers’ fault for not verifying the quality before buying. I don’t see why they should blame the sellers entirely.
Seriously, Marco? Not everyone is a gold expert. People trust sellers to be honest!
Trust but verify. It’s a basic principle of shopping, especially online.
Linda is right. It’s the seller’s legal responsibility to ensure product authenticity. Consumers shouldn’t need to double-check everything they buy.
Trust goes both ways. If you’re running a business, you need to be ethical or face the consequences.
The shop demanding receipt of free gifts for refunds is just unreasonable. Not everyone keeps those items.
Right? It’s a sneaky way to avoid refunds.
I think it’s fair. They need to return the whole package for a full refund.
Fair? If the product was a scam, the whole refund process should be streamlined, devoid of such petty stipulations.
This case exemplifies the need for stronger e-commerce regulations and consumer protection laws. Online markets are rife with opportunities for fraud.
Why didn’t the police help the complainant who went to the Bor Win police? That’s just wrong.
It’s frustrating. Sometimes authorities shirk responsibility when it’s not clear-cut.
Or they’re just lazy and don’t want more work.
They must be held accountable too. It’s their duty to assist.
How do we know for sure that all these claims are legit? I feel like people could just be jumping on the bandwagon.
Sad to see how greed corrupts people. How long do you think they’ll get if found guilty?
In Thailand, fraud can lead to serious jail time and hefty fines. It’s not just about the money but the breach of trust.
It’s unfortunate, but this is a lesson to always be cautious with online purchases, especially expensive ones like gold.
I think people are overreacting. There are risks involved in any purchase, and they should have known better.
Overreacting? It’s not about knowing better. It’s about trust and legality.
Everyone is quick to blame but slow to take personal responsibility.
I wonder how many other businesses operate like this without being caught.
The fact that some gold items couldn’t be verified is quite telling. Makes you wonder about their entire supply chain.
This story is far from over. The legal challenges and consumer backlash could take years to resolve. Keep your eyes peeled.