National —
At 1:30 PM on August 28th, 2024, Pol. Maj. Gen. Witthaya Sriprasertphap, Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), along with Provincial Health officials, held a press conference on the crackdown on unlicensed cosmetic surgeons in Rayong and Phuket.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Witthaya reported that coordinated raids were conducted on four locations, including clinics and spas illegally converted into medical facilities—three in Rayong and one in Phuket.
Local authorities arrested six suspects: one clinic owner and five unlicensed doctors. These individuals, though licensed in general medical practice, were using unregistered drugs and mislabeling cosmetic products for injection treatments.
Over 200 items, including registered and unregistered drugs, medical equipment, and mislabeled cosmetics, valued at over 280,000 baht, were seized.
This operation was an extension of ongoing efforts to clamp down on the misuse of “infiNAdi Nad+,” a product registered as a cosmetic but used illegally for injections. Despite its registration being revoked, many beauty clinics continued using it. Thai authorities plan to inspect over 200 beauty clinics nationwide to ensure compliance with the law, according to Pol. Maj. Gen. Witthaya.
In a related case, CPPD and Phang Nga health officials arrested 61-year-old Ah Ying, a stateless individual posing as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in Phang Nga. He was found with acupuncture equipment used to treat patients, many of whom allegedly reported adverse side effects, including heart palpitations, anemia, and severe bruising.
Complaints also arose about alleged unsanitary conditions and improperly disposed of medical waste at Ying’s practice. Ah Ying now faces legal charges under the Medical Profession, Medical Facility, and Traditional Medicine Acts.