Nonthaburi: "Supamas" leads a team to crack down on illegal weight-loss drugs, raiding a warehouse and seizing contraband worth over 3 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and supervisor of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), spearheaded a coordinated operation with the Consumer Protection Board, police, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to dismantle a production facility for the illicit weight-loss product "Bachi." The raid took place in the Bang Mae Nang Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, resulting in the seizure of over 10,000 items valued at over 3 million baht.
The crackdown was announced during a press conference held by Ms. Supamas alongside Mr. Pradermchai Boonchuaylue, Advisor to the Minister, Mr. Ronnarong Poolpipat, Secretary-General of the OCPB, Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, and Pharmacist Supatra Boonsearm, Secretary-General of the FDA. The operation targeted two production facilities and warehouses in close proximity, following an expanded investigation by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police.
Ms. Supamas emphasized the government's commitment to consumer protection, aligning with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's guidelines. The Consumer Protection Board (CPB), in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), the Bangkok Metropolitan Police (BMPC), and the FDA, is intensifying efforts to eliminate products that pose health risks, particularly those sold online. This operation was prompted by a Consumer Protection Committee (CPC) discussion about a consumer's death after consuming the Bashi dietary supplement, leading to a directive for the FDA to scrutinize the product's advertising and sale.
The investigation revealed that the Bachi product, linked to a consumer's death in February 2016, was sold online and contained the illegal substance sibutramine. The searches uncovered a full production line and a range of contraband, including Lishou brand products and labels. The authorities detained three foreign nationals managing the site for questioning.
The Consumer Protection Board (CPB) has scheduled a mediation meeting on July 13, 2026, to compensate victims' families and is investigating online sellers under the Direct Selling and Direct Marketing Act B.E. 2545 (2002). Coordination with platforms is underway to block related stores, and efforts are being made to assist victims' families in claiming damages under the Product Liability Act B.E. 2551 (2008).
Ms. Supamas stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of dietary supplements and urged the public to verify FDA registration numbers before purchase. She highlighted that weight-loss pens require a doctor's prescription and should not be bought online. She encouraged reports of suspicious products to the Consumer Protection Board, emphasizing that every report could save lives.
Consumers can file complaints via the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, the ocpb.go.th website, the Damrongtham Centers nationwide, or the FDA hotline 1556.