Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

 

Police have seized almost 14,000 substandard hair dryers and other beauty appliances after a child was electrocuted by a faulty product bought online. The nationwide raids followed an investigation into unsafe electrical goods falsely carrying Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) approval marks. Authorities have warned consumers against purchasing dangerously cheap electrical items from unreliable online sellers.

 

On 21 October 2025, Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaonanasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, led the operation alongside Police Major General Khongkrit Lertsitthikul, head of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD). Officers searched nine locations across Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Ratchaburi, confiscating 13,929 items including hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons and electric brushes, with an estimated total value of over 10 million baht.

 

The crackdown was prompted by the death of a young girl in Buriram Province, who was fatally electrocuted while using a hair dryer purchased online for just 89 baht. The device bore only Chinese-language labelling and lacked a TISI mark. Investigations traced the source to imported goods sold through e-commerce platforms earlier this year. Police subsequently raided import warehouses, storage sites and retail outlets linked to the illegal distribution network.

 

Authorities believe the products were smuggled from overseas and sold online at prices between 100 and 1,000 baht each. Some items carried counterfeit TISI marks copied from other legitimate brands. All seized goods have been sent to CPPD investigators for legal proceedings under three charges: importing industrial products without authorisation; selling products that fail to meet required safety standards and displaying a false TISI mark.

 

Offenders face penalties of up to two years in prison or fines of two million baht for unauthorised importation, six months or 500,000 baht for selling non-compliant goods, and one year or one million baht for using fake safety marks.

 

Natthasak warned that genuine, certified appliances are built with strong, durable materials designed to prevent moisture damage and accidental electric contact. He urged consumers to check for authentic TISI symbols, certification numbers and QR codes verifying the product’s model and authorised distributor.

 

He added that consumers should prioritise purchasing from reputable online stores or recognised brands, noting that extremely low prices often indicate unsafe or counterfeit goods. Further inspections of online marketplaces are expected as police continue to track the illegal supply chain.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police seized nearly 14,000 unsafe beauty appliances worth 10 million baht.

• A child’s death in Buriram triggered a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit electrical goods.

• Consumers are urged to buy only certified products with genuine TISI marks.

 

Related stories:

 

Girl-10-electrocuted-by-cheap-Chinese-hair-dryer-in-Buriram

 

Taskforce-launched-to-crack-down-on-illegal-factories

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-10-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorities have warned consumers against purchasing dangerously cheap electrical items from unreliable online sellers.

 

Pray tell how one is supposed to know if an item is unsafe ?

Thailand always AFTER the fact,  never pro active  

17 hours ago, JoePai said:

Authorities have warned consumers against purchasing dangerously cheap electrical items from unreliable online sellers.

 

Pray tell how one is supposed to know if an item is unsafe ?

Er...the price?  And, as the OP clearly advised, authentic TISI symbols, certification numbers and QR codes verifying the product’s model and authorised distributor.