The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Pathum Thani Provincial Public Health Office raided a manufacturing site for handmade cosmetics that were distributed nationwide, worth over 20 million baht. The
Central Investigation Bureau, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridet, Commander-in-Chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Witthaya Sriprasertphap, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, Pol. Col. Wiraphong Klaithong, Superintendent of the Consumer Protection Police Division 4, and the Pathum Thani Provincial Public Health Office, led by Dr. Phuchong Chaichin, Public Health Doctor of Pathum Thani Province, raided a manufacturing site for cosmetics used on the hair and scalp, seizing 69 items of cosmetic products, raw materials and packaging, and equipment used for production, totaling 283,200 items, worth over 20 million baht.
Following the 4th Division of the Consumer Protection Crime Suppression Division receiving coordination from the Public Health Office of Pathum
Thani Province, receiving information from citizens to investigate a residence that was secretly producing a famous brand of hair care cosmetics, which were popularly used in beauty salons and sold in markets and beauty supply stores, the police officers investigated and tracked down the place where the products were secretly manufactured, leading to this search.
Later on July 12, 2024, the police of the Consumer Protection Police Division 4, together with officials from the Public Health Office of Pathum Thani Province, brought a search warrant from the Pathum Thani Provincial Court to search a residence in Village No. 6, Bang Phun Subdistrict, Pathum Thani District, Pathum Thani Province. They found a 47-year-old woman leading the search and admitting to being the owner of the place. During the search, they found 4 workers producing cosmetics by pouring them by hand into bottles to sell to the public. The evidence seized included:
Cosmetic products include hair oil, hair care oil, hair and scalp care crea
m, anti-dandruff cream, hair milk cream, hair mask, and 29 ready-to-sell cosmetic products, totaling more than 25,200 bottles.
Raw materials are packed in 200-liter drums, 6 items in total.
Production equipment includes empty bottles, empty jars, lids, stickers, 34 production equipment items, totaling more than 258,000 pieces.
Seized a total of 69 items of evidence, totaling 283,200 items, worth more than 20,000,000 baht.
From the inquiry, the 47-year-old woman admitted that she graduated from Mathayom 6 and studied the production method from her spouse, who used to be a salesperson for cosmetic products. Then, around 2012, she experimented with mixing different formulas and tried selling them by delivering them to beauty salons. The response was good, so she continued to develop the formulas and sold them to beauty salons, minimarts, and beauty supply stores, earning approximately 300,000 baht per month. Later, her sales increased, so she expanded the business by having representatives present the produc
ts. Currently, there are 8 salespeople presenting the products in various locations, divided into 4 regions nationwide. Currently, she earns approximately 600,000 baht per month, approximately 7,200,000 baht per year. She has more than 1,500 customers in beauty salons, shops, and cosmetic stores nationwide.
As for requesting for product registration numbers (FDA numbers), they are given to factories that produce cosmetic products, which are located in Khlong Khoi District, Nonthaburi Province, and factories located in Sai Mai District, Bangkok. Once the factories have registered the registration numbers, they will have the factories produce finished products, package them in plastic containers, and then fill them into bottles and jars, attach labels, and deliver them to customers.
For hair coat products, the raw materials are ordered from a chemical company in Bang Na area, delivered in 200-liter drums. Then, the perfume is mixed to identify the scent. When the scent matches the formula, it is packaged by h
aving workers fill bottles, put on stickers, and sell them. In addition to having salespeople bring the products to sell at various locations, there is also a sale through various online platforms, selling them at prices of 40-155 baht per bottle, depending on the type of cosmetic.
Initially, such action is an offense under the Cosmetics Act 2015.
1. The basis of ‘producing cosmetics that have not been registered’ is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding 50,000 baht, or both.
2. The basis of ‘selling cosmetics that have not been registered’ is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 2 months or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both.
3. The basis of ‘producing counterfeit cosmetics in violation of Section 27(2) in conjunction with Section 29(1), by being cosmetics that use labels stating the name of the manufacturer or source of production that is not true’ is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or a fine not exceeding 100,000 baht, or both.
4. The bas
is of ‘producing counterfeit cosmetics in violation of Section 27(2) in conjunction with Section 29(4), by being cosmetics that appear to be registered cosmetics, which is not true’ is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, or a fine not exceeding 200,000 baht, or both.
5. The basis of ‘producing cosmetics with labels that display information that is not true’ is punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand baht, or both.
Dr. Phuchong Chaichin, the provincial public health doctor of Pathum Thani, warned the public that the use of cosmetic products must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the provincial public health office before selling. This can be seen on the product label or packaging. It should be purchased from a fixed store. In the case of online purchases, it should be purchased from online stores that have registered for e-commerce with the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Wittha
ya Sriprasertphap, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, expressed his concern to the public to be careful and consider carefully before purchasing any product. They should thoroughly inspect the product and not be fooled into buying it just because the price is unusually lower than the market price. They should buy from reliable sources and check the registration number or food code number first. In particular, health products such as cosmetics, supplements, and medicines, if they are sold at a price that is lower than normal, should always be aware that you are at risk of falling victim to advertising and receiving fake or low-quality products. If used, you may experience an allergic reaction. He would like to emphasize to all online product sellers not to sell illegal products or deceive consumers. If found, legal action will be taken to the fullest extent of the law. Anyone who finds any other illegal activities You can report any information to the Consumer Protection Police Division hotl
ine at 1135 or the Consumer Protection Police Division page at any time.
Source: Thai News Agency