Many people who purchase insurance, whether life insurance, health insurance, or motor insurance, are familiar with the “OIC,” or the Office of Insurance Commission, as the agency responsible for regulating the insurance business in Thailand, as well as protecting the rights of consumers who hold all types of insurance policies.
But the important question is:
Is the OIC Truly Fast and Fair?
This is another perspective from Lawyer Arm Supasit of Wongsakorn Law Firm, who would like to reveal facts based on direct experience so that the public can think, analyze, and gain a better understanding of the OIC’s processes before deciding to enter arbitration proceedings.
What Is the OIC? What Are Its Responsibilities?
Many people may still not fully understand that the OIC is the agency responsible for regulating all insurance businesses in Thailand, including:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Motor insurance
- Accident insurance
- Property insurance
- As well as all other types of insurance
The OIC’s main responsibilities are to:
- Supervise insurance companies
- Protect consumers
- Receive complaints
- Conduct arbitration proceedings in certain cases
At first glance, it may seem like an agency that fully supports and assists the public. However, once people enter the actual process, many begin to question whether it is truly “fast and fair” as promoted.
What Is OIC Arbitration?
When members of the public visit the OIC website, they will find a description of “arbitration” as a process that is:
- Fast
- Fair
- Cost-effective
The phrase “fast and fair” immediately gives many people confidence because the general public naturally understands that if a dispute arises with an insurance company, this process should help them obtain justice quickly.
However, from the perspective of Lawyer Arm Supasit, the following questions are raised:
“What does speed really mean?”
And more importantly:
“Who determines what is fair?”
Even Lawyer Arm Supasit himself believes that the meaning of the word “fair” is something that is very difficult to define in practice.
Revealing the Actual Timeline of a Case at Wongsakorn Law Firm
To help the public see the process more clearly, Lawyer Arm Supasit shared a real case handled by Wongsakorn Law Firm.
Step 1: Submission of the Petition
8 May 2025
The OIC accepted the arbitration petition.
Step 2: First Hearing Appointment
17 June 2025
The first hearing was scheduled.
Many people may ask: Was that fast?
From the perspective of the general public, some people may feel that this already took quite a long time.
From the first hearing to the appointment of the arbitrator, the process took another month.
After 17 June 2025, the parties had to wait until:
18 July 2025
to appoint the arbitrator, or the neutral party who would decide the dispute.
The question is:
Why did appointing the neutral decision-maker alone take almost another full month?
This is one of the observations raised by Lawyer Arm Supasit, who believes that if something is described as “fast,” each person’s standard of what counts as fast may be different.
Preliminary Hearing, Witness Examination, and Waiting for the Award
After the arbitrator was appointed, the next stage was the preliminary hearing, which is the stage used to:
- Define the disputed issues
- Determine what evidence the consumer would present
- Determine what arguments the insurance company would raise in response
After that, the process moved into the witness examination hearing.
However, reaching this stage required waiting until:
8 October 2025
A simple calculation shows that from June to October, the process took approximately four months.
When Was the Arbitration Award Issued?
After the witness examination was completed on 8 October 2025, the arbitration award was issued on:
12 February 2026
Meanwhile, the OIC had already received the arbitration award on:
6 February 2026
When calculating the total period from the submission of the petition to receiving the arbitration award, the process took many months.
The question therefore returns:
Can this truly be considered “fast”?
The Meaning of Speed for the Public and for an Agency May Not Be the Same
From the perspective of the general public, the word “fast” may mean:
- Not having to wait for several months
- Not having to spend a long time going through procedures
- Receiving an answer quickly
However, from the perspective of an institutional process or the arbitration system, there may be a different standard.
Therefore, Lawyer Arm Supasit would like the public to:
- Analyze it for themselves
- Compare it for themselves
- And decide for themselves whether the process is truly fast
The Agency Says It Is Cost-Effective. Is That Really True?
Another phrase that the public often sees is “cost-effective.” However, based on a real case handled by Wongsakorn Law Firm, the total cost came to approximately:
THB 12,800
And simply to begin the process, the party submitting the arbitration petition was required to pay an initial filing fee of:
THB 10,000
This means that the process is not free, as many people may understand.
From the perspective of the general public, the word “fast” may mean:
- Not having to wait for several months
- Not having to spend a long time going through procedures
- Receiving an answer quickly
However, from the perspective of an institutional process or the arbitration system, there may be a different standard.
Therefore, Lawyer Arm Supasit would like the public to:
- Analyze it for themselves
- Compare it for themselves
- And decide for themselves whether the process is truly fast
The Agency Says It Is Cost-Effective. Is That Really True?
Another phrase that the public often sees is “cost-effective.” However, based on a real case handled by Wongsakorn Law Firm, the total cost came to approximately:
THB 12,800
And simply to begin the process, the party submitting the arbitration petition was required to pay an initial filing fee of:
THB 10,000
What Should the Public Do When They Have a Problem with an Insurance Company?
The most important thing is not to make a decision based solely on advertising messages or short descriptions.
Whether it is claims such as:
- Fast
- Fair
- Cost-effective
Because in reality, every case has different details and circumstances.
Why Should You Consult a Lawyer Before Entering the OIC Process?
Many people only consult a lawyer after they have already:
- Entered the process
- Paid the fees
- Spent several months waiting
Even though proper planning from the beginning is extremely important.
Because a lawyer can:
- Analyze which process is the most appropriate
- Assess the chances of success in the case
- Develop the legal strategy for the case
- Help prevent the client from being placed at a disadvantage
Especially in insurance disputes, where insurance companies often have legal teams involved from the very beginning.
Is the OIC Truly Fast and Fair? Let the Public Decide
This article from Wongsakorn Law Firm is not intended to criticize any agency. Its purpose is to reflect another perspective based on real experience so that the public can gain a better understanding of the OIC process.
Because in the end, the terms:
- “Fast”
- “Fair”
- “Cost-effective”
may carry different meanings depending on each person’s perspective.
Therefore, before entering any insurance-related process, people should carefully study all available information and consult a lawyer with direct experience in this area in order to avoid wasting time, incurring unnecessary expenses, and being placed at a disadvantage in the future.
For consultation with Lawyer Arm Supasit, click >> Contact Us <<