Picture courtesy of Naewna.

 

Police have raided a cosmetics factory in Chachoengsao province, seizing more than 230,000 illegally produced items with an estimated market value of over 20 million baht.

 

The joint operation, involved the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the provincial public health office.

 

The raid followed complaints from local authorities and members of the public that an unlicensed plant in Bang Pakong district was manufacturing cosmetics without official approval or product registration numbers. Officials warned that such products, made without safety checks or ingredient disclosure, posed serious risks of allergic reactions and long-term skin damage.

 

During the search, officers discovered a large-scale illegal production line where raw materials imported from China were being boiled, mixed, bottled, labelled and packed for export. Police detained a 24-year-old Thai woman, identified only as Ms Papavee, who claimed she managed the site on behalf of a Chinese company director. She admitted the factory had been operating for around eight months.

 

Authorities seized 234,699 items, including nine categories of cosmetic products, along with machinery, labels, packaging and raw ingredients.

 

FDA deputy secretary-general Dr Rungreethai Muanprasitporn said the raid highlighted the dangers of counterfeit cosmetics and praised cooperation between agencies in shutting down the illegal factory. “Consumers should only buy products with Thai-language labels, FDA registration numbers and clear information on ingredients, usage and manufacturer details,” he stressed.

 

The offences fall under Thailand’s 2015 Cosmetics Act, carrying penalties of up to six months in prison or fines of 50,000 baht for producing unregistered cosmetics, and up to two months in jail or fines of 20,000 baht for selling them. Products without Thai-language labels also attract penalties of up to three months in jail or fines of 30,000 baht.

 

Police have vowed to pursue the wider network behind the operation and warned consumers against purchasing health and beauty products that appear unusually cheap, carry incomplete labelling, or make exaggerated claims.

 

The suspect and the seized goods have been handed over to CPPD investigators for prosecution.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-08-20

 

 

 

 

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