Crime Pattaya Tourist Police Raid Herbal Shop Accused of Scamming Foreign Tourists

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of kaoded.

 

Pattaya Tourist Police and local investigators have raided a herbal remedy shop accused of deceiving a foreign tourist with overpriced products. The operation led to the discovery of unlicensed herbal goods and foreign nationals working illegally.

 

The investigation began after an Indian tourist filed a complaint at Pattaya City Police Station, stating that three foreign men had approached him on the street, claiming to have a miraculous herbal remedy that could stimulate hair regrowth. The men invited him to a shop located in the Baywalk Hotel area, where they sold him three bottles of an unknown herbal mixture blended with coconut water and four bars of soap.

 

The total cost was quoted at over 50,000 baht. Feeling pressured, the tourist paid 15,000 baht in cash and transferred an additional 99,000 rupees. Once outside, he realised he had been severely overcharged and immediately reported the incident to the authorities.

 

In response, Pol. Lt. Col. Torlap Tinamat of Tourist Police Division 1, along with investigators from Pattaya City Police, visited the shop in question but found it closed. Officers then inspected a nearby herbal store in Soi 13/2 and found two Pakistani men and four Thai women selling herbal products to foreign tourists.

 

Upon inspection, police discovered the exact items described in the complaint, including:

 

• A bottle of organic cold-pressed coconut oil mixed with butterfly pea powder and unidentified ingredients

 

• A jar of coconut treatment mixed with similar unlabelled components

 

None of the products were registered with Thai health authorities, and the individuals involved lacked the necessary permits to produce or sell herbal remedies.

 

All six suspects were taken into custody. Charges were filed for:

 

• Manufacturing and selling herbal products without a licence

 

• Selling unregistered herbal products

 

• Two Pakistani nationals working in Thailand without valid work permits

 

Authorities have confiscated the products and transferred all suspects to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.

 

The police have urged tourists to remain vigilant when approached by strangers offering health or cosmetic products and to report any suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-07-09

 

 

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Upon inspection, police discovered the exact items described in the complaint, including:

 

• A bottle of organic cold-pressed coconut oil mixed with butterfly pea powder and unidentified ingredients

 

He should've bought a couple of coconuts instead 10baht.

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

He should've bought a couple of coconuts instead 10baht.

Snake oil on the tops shelf.