The group, accompanied by lawyers Kriengkrai Nakhawaree and Paiboon Polthanawasit, filed the lawsuit at the Southern Bangkok Civil Court against Ford Motor Company (Thailand) Ltd, Ford Sales and Service (Thailand) Ltd, Ford Operations (Thailand) Ltd and Ford Service (Thailand) Ltd.

The plaintiffs alleged the car models were faulty, unsafe and substandard, which imposed risks for consumers. They demanded the defendants buy back the cars and also pay compensation worth more than Bt24 million, Kriengkrai said.

He said the class action lawsuit’s result would have a binding effect for other similarly damaged persons.

One of the plaintiffs, Korbsak Numnoi, said the plaintiffs had been fighting for their rights for almost three years and had filed complaints with various agencies including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and the Land Transport Department.

The lack of progress had caused them to file the class action lawsuit, he said.

“There likely will be no negotiation, as the defendant companies all along refused to negotiate,” he added.

Fifty other Ford owners who have also claimed damages were present outside the court to express supports for the plaintiffs.

The civil court scheduled a review of the evidence to be held on July 3.