Crime Illegal Cosmetic Factory Busted in Nonthaburi Supplying Spa Products Nationwide

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Naewna

 

In a crackdown, the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in cooperation with the Nonthaburi Provincial Public Health Office, raided an illegal cosmetics production site operating out of a private residence. The illicit operation was producing spa products under the brand Lady Flower Herbal & Spa, which were widely distributed to massage and spa shops across Thailand. Authorities seized over 776,000 items with an estimated market value of 1.5 million baht.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Bhuridej, Commissioner of the CIB, assigned Pol. Maj. Gen. Pattanasak Buppasuwan, commander of the CPPD, along with senior officers and Dr. Paripon Julajerm, the provincial public health chief, to lead the operation. The raid followed a tip-off from the local health office that cosmetics were being illegally produced and distributed under popular branding to shops and retailers nationwide.

 

On 12 June, officials executed a search warrant at a residential property in Moo 1, Phimonrat Subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province. The homeowner, a 46-year-old man identified only as Mr. Montree, was present as officers discovered workers hand-filling bottles with cosmetic products intended for distribution.

 

Items Seized in the Raid:

 

• Finished cosmetic products (e.g., massage oils, coconut oil, herbal scrubs, facial cleansers): 2,378 items across 22 product types

• Raw materials (including oils, herbal powders, fragrances): 202 items across 47 types

• Packaging and equipment (bottles, jars, lids, labels, heat sealers, printing machines): over 773,000 items across 142 categories

 

The suspect had previously worked as a sales representative for a well-known cosmetics company before establishing his own unregistered production business in 1982. Although the Lady Flower brand was officially registered, the production had expanded beyond the approved facility due to increasing demand. The operation had since moved to an unapproved location with unsanitary conditions, violating several laws.

 

Investigations revealed that the raw cosmetic mixtures were purchased in bulk from a manufacturer in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan and delivered in 200-litre containers. Fragrance concentrates were sourced from a chemical supplier in Pathumwan, Bangkok. The products were then mixed, packaged, labeled and sold to middlemen and beauty shops nationwide at wholesale prices ranging from 70 to 300 baht per unit.

 

Packaging materials were procured from vendors in Pom Prap Sattru Phai, while printed labels were ordered from a printing company in Bang Khen. Workers were employed to manually fill and label the products for sale.

 

Authorities have pressed charges under the Cosmetics Act B.E. 2558 (2015) for producing counterfeit cosmetics and falsely labeling the manufacturing source. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht. Additional charges were filed under the Herbal Product Act B.E. 2562 (2019) for unauthorized herbal product manufacturing, which could result in up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 300,000 baht. Failure to register herbal formulas also carries an additional penalty.

 

Dr. Paripon Julajerm urged all cosmetic producers to strictly comply with legal requirements, noting that failure to obtain proper licensing and use of incorrect labels would lead to prosecution. He advised consumers to purchase only labeled products in Thai with complete registration numbers and details. Suspicions about illegal cosmetics can be reported to the FDA hotline at 1556 or the Consumer Protection Division of the Nonthaburi Public Health Office.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Pattanasak warned consumers to be wary of cosmetic products sold at unusually low prices, particularly those marketed online. He emphasized the importance of verifying product registration numbers before use to avoid counterfeit or harmful items that could cause allergic reactions or health risks. Sellers found distributing illegal cosmetics will face full legal action. The public is encouraged to report violations via the CPPD hotline 1135 or through the Consumer Protection Police AlertFacebook page, available 24/7.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-06-14