BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai police have dismantled four illegal factories producing herbal inhalers and menthol balm products under the popular ‘Hong Thai’ brand, seizing more than 2.35 million units valued at over 100 million baht (around €2.5 million).
Officials said the move followed serious health concerns over microbial contamination in the products.
Coordinated Operation Across Two Provinces
The large-scale raid was carried out by a special task force of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) in cooperation with Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), together with Police Major General Khongkrit Lertsitthikul, Commander of the CPPD.
Officers simultaneously targeted four sites—a residential property in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district and three factory locations in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon province. Investigators discovered massive stockpiles of herbal inhalers and menthol balm products, which were immediately confiscated for lab examination.
Health Risks Sparked the Investigation
Prior to the raids, the CPPD had launched a detailed investigation after receiving reports that some ‘Hong Thai’ inhaler products contained microbial contamination, posing a serious health threat to consumers. Authorities suspected that the items were being produced secretly at unauthorized sites separate from the company’s officially registered facility.
Initial findings confirmed those suspicions. The licensed manufacturer had been originally approved to operate a plant in Bang Phai, Bang Khae, but had allegedly expanded production to additional, unregistered sites without the FDA’s knowledge or oversight.
Legal Consequences for Operators
Police indicated that the operators now face potential charges related to the unauthorized production and sale of counterfeit herbal health products. All seized materials have been documented as evidence, and CPPD Subdivision 4 is proceeding with legal action.
Authorities said the case reflects how unlicensed producers endanger consumers by putting profit over safety.
“SUCH OPERATIONS SHOW BLATANT DISREGARD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THEY WILL BE MET WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW,”
a senior CPPD officer stated.
Message to the Industry
Officials emphasized that this enforcement sends a clear warning across Thailand’s growing herbal and wellness sector:
• Unlicensed production of health-related goods will be prosecuted.
• Consumer health risks, even from popular brands, can trigger nationwide investigations.
• Regulatory monitoring by the FDA and CPPD is being intensified.
The FDA is expected to continue testing the seized inhalers to verify contamination levels and determine whether additional recalls are necessary. The CIB said further crackdowns would follow if links to other illegal manufacturing operations are found.
“THE PUBLIC MUST KNOW THAT ILLEGAL MANUFACTURERS PUT LIVES IN DANGER FOR PROFIT,”
the CPPD spokesperson added, underlining the government’s commitment to stricter oversight of consumer health products.
The raid marks one of Thailand’s largest recent actions against unlicensed herbal product producers, signaling an assertive approach by regulators to restore trust in a market long criticized for weak manufacturing controls.