Police Seize 21,000 Illegal Herbal Products in Phra Nakhon Raid

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Consumer protection police, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raided a well-known herbal shop in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on 17 October, seizing over 21,000 unregistered products valued at more than 5 million baht. The raid followed complaints about illegal herbal remedies being sold online and distributed nationwide. One suspect was arrested at the scene.

Pol Maj Gen Khongkrit Lertsitthikul, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), ordered the operation after evidence showed the shop was selling unregistered herbal medicines with false health claims. The search, conducted with FDA officials in Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang subdistrict, uncovered 21,320 items across 16 product lines, including herbal balms, inhalers, massage creams and herbal oils. The shop had no licence to sell herbal products.

Authorities said the confiscated items were marketed with exaggerated or misleading claims, such as curing paralysis, joint pain, tendon injuries, burns, insect bites and even haemorrhoids. Some were also falsely promoted as safe for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Officials warned that such products can cause harm, mislead consumers and delay proper medical treatment.

The arrested shop owner, identified as Ms Rung, 42, admitted she had developed and modified herbal formulas with a partner before producing and selling them both in-store and online. She told police the shop’s location near popular tourist areas had attracted both Thai and foreign customers. She was charged with selling unregistered herbal products and operating without a sales licence.

Pol Maj Gen Khongkrit urged the public to buy only FDA-approved herbal medicines from licensed retailers, stressing that unlicensed sellers endanger public health. He warned producers and distributors of illegal products to stop immediately or face prosecution.

FDA Deputy Secretary-General Dr Witit Srisuchayakul also reminded consumers to check that herbal products carry valid registration numbers and certificates on their packaging. He warned that unregulated herbal products are potentially dangerous because their origins and ingredients cannot be verified. The FDA encouraged the public to report suspicious health products to authorities for investigation.

Key Takeaways

• Police seized 21,320 unregistered herbal products worth over 5 million baht in Bangkok.

• The shop owner was charged with selling unlicensed remedies and making false health claims.

• Authorities urged consumers to buy only FDA-approved herbal products from licensed sellers.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-10-19