Police are preparing to summon seven Thai celebrities — the first batch from a total of 56 — who endorsed unlicensed weight loss and skin-glowing products.
Some of the biggest names in the Thai entertainment industry may face false advertising charges. The seven celebrities that will be summoned first include Lydia Sarunrat Deane, Ungsumalynn “Pattie” Sirapatsakmetha, Chutavuth “March” Pattarakampol, Apisada “Ice” Kruakongka, Virithipa “Woonsen” Pakdeeprasong, Puttichai “DJ Push” Kasetsin, and Ornapa “Ma” Krisadee, reported Thairath.
Police have not yet set a date for when these celebrities will be questioned.
The scandal came after police raided 13 unlicensed factories in Bangkok and the outer provinces on Saturday and Sunday that reportedly manufactured products for a company called Magic Skin. The company sold diet and skin-glowing supplements under various labels including Apple Slim, Fern Vitamin, Slim Milk, and Snow Milk.
But all they really were was just powdered milk, Deputy Police Commander Pol. Gen. Wirachai Songmetta, revealed yesterday after authorities tested two of the “dietary supplement” brands, Slim Milk and Snow Milk. The so-called supplements lacked the advertised ingredients promised to help with weight loss such as asam gelugur and aloe vera, according to Naewna
Phitchanat Sakhakon, one of the celebrities who had promoted a Magic Skin product, told the media that she has been tricked into reviewing Fern Vitamin, the skin-whitening supplements, by the false FDA label on the product’s packaging.
“I have to see the doctors, too. I really took the supplements before reviewing it. I’m shocked by the news and I’m sorry for what happened. I’m one of the people who took the supplements without knowing better. I was tricked too,” she told Khaosod.
There are eight key suspects involved in the production of the supplements, including company owners Wannapa Poungson and her husband Korn Poungson, who were released on THB500,000 bail on Monday.
