22-07-2025
B20m in uncertified cleaning and cosmetic products seized in Bangkok
Police have seized 20 million baht worth of uncertified cleaning supplies and cosmetics after raiding a Bangkok warehouse owned by a Chinese investor.
The raid took place on Monday, and it followed an investigation into a fatality reportedly caused by inhaling toxic gas from a pipe cleaning product. Further details were not given, but a case fitting that description was reported in Chon Buri last year.
Police expanded the investigation and received a search warrant issued by the Minburi Criminal Court, Pol Col Anuwat Rakcharoen, deputy commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, said on Tuesday.
When they arrived at the warehouse in Lad Krabang district, officers found foreign workers packing products for delivery.
Police seized 413,746 items in all. They included Seaways-branded laundry detergent, drain, toilet and multi-purpose cleaning products — some of which contained hazardous chemicals. Also seized were 'Dr Leo' cosmetic products, including skincare and sun protection cream. They were worth over 20 million baht in total, police said.
The items did not have import documents or certificates from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Police said they had been smuggled into the kingdom from China.
The Thai warehouse supervisor, identified only as Ms Authumwan, said it had been rented by a Chinese investor for storing the items. The investor also hired foreign workers to pack the goods for delivery to customers, who had made orders via online shopping platforms, including Shopee and Lazada.
Ms Authumwan said the orders and customers' details were sent to shops in China to supply the products. Details of the shops were not known, she said.
The business had been operating for about three years, with about 7,000 to 9,000 items delivered each day. The workers were paid five to seven baht per item they packed, police said.
Customers are advised to make sure products are certified by FDA before buying, especially through online platforms. Uncertified products could contain dangerous chemicals that are potentially harmful to users.
