Pill poppers: Pattaya pharmacy busted for herbal heist on tourists

Police raided a pharmacy in Pattaya on Tuesday for allegedly overcharging tourists for herbal products and operating without proper licenses.

The operation, conducted by Tourist Police and Public Health officials at 7.06pm, Tuesday, October 22, in South Pattaya, targeted an unnamed pharmacy accused of making exaggerated claims about the benefits of its products and using aggressive tactics to pressure tourists into buying them.

Officials reported that the pharmacy falsely advertised its products as capable of miraculous hair growth and weight loss. Upon inspection, various herbal products were seized, including bottles of ground herbal powders in various colours, coconut oil, honey, hair oil, mixing utensils, and documents listing inflated prices and benefits in Thai and English.

Foreign workers at the pharmacy, who lacked proper work permits, were also apprehended. Additionally, police seized 19 jars of Dabur Chyawanprash and 30 bottles of Kayam Churna, which were not properly licensed for sale in Thailand. All suspects and the confiscated items were handed over to Pattaya Police for further legal action.

The pharmacy operators are facing charges under Thailand’s Herbal Products Act of 2019. Producing and selling unregistered herbal products without a license can lead to penalties of up to three years in prison or a fine of 300,000 baht (US$8,870), or both. Selling unregistered products alone carries penalties of up to one year in prison or a fine of 100,000 baht (US$3,000,) reported The Pattaya News.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensan, who led the operation, encouraged tourists who were threatened by the pharmacy’s workers to come forward and file reports at the Pattaya City Police Station.

In related news, police raided a prominent clinic in Bang Sare, Chon Buri, arresting three individuals for operating without a license and using a fake medical certificate. The suspects have confessed to various charges.

On September 26, police and public health officials conducted a raid at 5.30pm at a medical clinic in Bang Sare, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. Reports had been received that the clinic was operating without the necessary licenses.