FTI proposes amendments to 3 bills, Customs Act

The FTI’s recommendations for changes to the bills for loan collateral, protection of personal information, and the independent body on environment and health were highlighted at a meeting with the commission, which is chaired by Kanit na Nakorn.

Regarding loan collateral, the FTI said that currently the classes of assets that can be pledged, mortgaged or used as loan collateral were limited. New approaches were needed so that other kinds of assets could be placed as collateral.

The foreclosure process should also be expedited and the law should accommodate new debt-settlement approaches.

On protection of personal information, the definition of "information" should be clearly specified to single out what cannot be divulged by a third party.

On the independent body for the environment and health, the bill should be enacted quickly so that all manufacturers can comply completely with Article 67(2) of the Constitution, which requires that all activities with potential harm to community health and the environment are endorsed by the body.

The FTI also raised concerns over the body’s power, which could extend beyond just offering an opinion.

For the Customs Act, penalties should be segregated for intentional and unintentional violations. Intentional offenders are now fined four times the value of the items. The penalties for unintentional violations should be lower than that.

The clause on "bounty" and rewards should also be scrapped, as it produces a conflict of interest. If it remains, it should apply only to intentional violations.

The Law Reform Commission was set up under the Constitution of 2007 to carry out necessary and inclusive legal improvements. It is required to give opinions on new bills and propose amendments to existing laws.