Abstract:
At present, a number of investors, in particular individuals, suffer damage resulting from contravention of or failure to comply with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act B.E. 2535. The aggrieved parties, however) are not comp?nsated because there is rio statute providing class action in securities law case.Accordingly, this thesis seeks to examine (1) deficiency in laws pertinent to litigation initialed by the investor in a securities law case, (2) proper means to introduce the class action lawsuit to securities law case in Thailand. The research was conducted by examining the way in which the act causes damage and impediment to pursuance of the class action in accordance with Thai Law. In addition, a comparison was made between class action law in Australia and the United States and the Thai provisions of the Securities and Exchange Act B.E. 2535 and the Civil Procedure Code.The research revealed that wrongdoers causing damage to a number of investors, consist of myriad groups including; (1) those having an affirmative duty to disclose some information specified by law, (2) those having a duty to protect the intentof investors and (3) those who commit offenses concerning unfair practices in securities trading. Investors are unable to obtain compensation for damages caused by wrongdoers, because of the absence of provisions for class action lawsuits in the Civil Procedure Code. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Act B.E 2535 provides investors with insufficient protection by empowering the supervisory agency to bring a law suit claiming damages for the investors only in certain eases. Individual eases of single investor are rarely initiated because of the victim's inability to recognize and gather evidence, as well as litigation costs, which, of course, cannot be offset by compensation resulting from the judgment. As for third persons having a duty to supervise the interest of the investors, such as debenture representatives and mutual fund supervisors, these third parties do not have a motive to initiate a lawsuit claiming damages on behalf of the investors. The relationship between third persons and the wrongdoer, moreover, presents the problem of conflict of interest since these third persons are biased, as they were appointed by and receive remuneration from the wrongdoer.The author, in this regard, would like to propose the introduction of the class action lawsuit to securities law case by means of; (1) amending the Securities and Exchange Act B 2535 or, (2) amending the Civil Procedure Code or, (3) proposing a bill on class action lawsuits in securities law as a sui generis legislation. The core principles of class action suits are i) selecting one or more representatives as the lead plaintiff in the litigation proceeding for his own benefit and the benefit of the rest of the members of the class, ii) the questions of fact and law of the members of the class are held in common, iii) the judgment will bind all members of the class, though almost all are neither joint plaintiffs nor parties to the case, iv) the class representative must demonstrate adequate representation and supervise the interest of the members in a fair manner.