V/Gov Prajiad gave the assurance after a one-hour meeting attempting to mediate a solution for the disgruntled tenants at The Aspasia Phuket in Kata and the legal representative property management company at Provincial Hall yesterday (Mar 7).
The meeting was ordered by Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada after the group of 17 foreign tenants filed a complaint at Damrongdhama Centre on March 3 and asked the Governor to help resolve the issue. (See story here.)
The group led by Dutch national Jan Cornelis van Zuilekom said that they have been treated unfairly recently as a consumer and suspected the company of misusing central funds that they paid every year.
At 2pm, after the one-hour meeting yesterday, V/Gov Prajiad told the press, “The foreign tenants wanted the company to turn the utilities back on for them as soon as possible, while the legal representative of the company told them that she would have to consult with the company first.”
The lawyer said she expected to be able to give the tenants the company’s reply by today (Mar 8), said V/Gov Prajiad.
“The tenants also asked us to examine the financial records regarding the alleged misuse of funds, but we cannot intervene because this issue is between property management company and the tenants. They have to seek legal action to resolve this on their own,” V/Gov added.
“To investigate whether the company broke the Consumer Protection Act 1979, we will do our best to help and seek justice for them,” Vice Governor Prajiad said.
V/Gov Prajiad made no mention on whether or not he would task officers with checking on any progress made by the Consumer Protection Office in Phuket in investigating the claims by tenants.
Also, no mention was made of any investigation by the Karon Police for alleged fraud.