In more detail
What is changing?
Until now, regulation focused mainly on receipt particulars for beauty operators that offer courses or time-limited services, including massage, spa, aesthetics and weight control. From January 2026, the OCPB's rules will apply directly to the service contracts between beauty operators and consumers. This means that businesses will need proper contracts to provide beauty services to customers, or could face legal implications.
What business operators should look out for?
The Notification removes a number of one-sided clauses commonly found in the market. For example:
- Clauses that limit or exclude liability for injury to life, body, health or property.
- Clauses giving the operator a unilateral right to change services, prices or fees in a way that makes the consumer worse off.
- Clauses that forbid cancellation or refunds in all circumstances, or that automatically extend service periods without the consumer's consent.
- Mandatory formality and terms
Service contracts are now required to be executed in accordance with the prescribed form under the Notification, prepared in duplicate, and provided to customers. This change will affect prevailing market practices, including the customary use of verbal agreements or informal contract formats.
The mandatory form also introduces the customer rights, including the right to change doctors or therapists, the right to terminate the contract in many circumstances, and the right to a full refund within seven days of purchase, provided that no services have been used.
These changes will require updates to contract templates and staff training so customer service teams know how to respond when consumers exercise these rights.
Risk
Non-compliance carries criminal penalties. Businesses that do not comply with the mandatory formality or terms could face imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to THB 200,000, or both.
What's next?
The Notification introduces stricter regulations and significantly enhances consumer rights in beauty industry contracts. These changes will affect both the formalities and substantive elements of agreements, marking a significant shift from current market practices. Businesses are strongly encouraged to review their contract templates, operational procedures, and overall practices to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks. Our team of legal specialists is prepared to support business operators in navigating these regulatory developments.
