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Published on August 27, 2007

"They charge exorbitant interest rates. And, when they demand repayment, [collectors] use violent and aggressive approaches," Consumer Rights Protection Centre leader Itboon Onwongsa told Crimes Suppression Division police. Itboon added that debt collectors were impolite, intimidating and abusive.

"These are civil matters, not criminal," Itboon said. Credi-tors could sue debtors, not threaten or humiliate them through illegal means.

He said some creditors demanded repayment from relatives and employers, subjecting debtors to disgrace.

Itboon demanded 41 lenders, debt-collection agencies and credit-card companies be charged with defamation, extortion and intimidation.

Division inspector Lt-Colonel Wiriya Sujarit said it would investigate the allegations before considering action.

"We may consult the Consumer Protection Board and other agencies, too," he said. A debtor who identified herself as Moo Saming said she was in the red to the tune of Bt1.2 million. She spent on her credit card, took out personal loans and borrowed from "other" money lenders.

"Late last month, one creditor called me between 2am and 5am. They called my mother, too, and rebuked her for not raising her daughter well. She told me off. I wanted to commit suicide," Moo said. Her attempt failed.

"Later I learned what the creditors were doing was wrong. I want to fight back," she said.