Fake Diet Pill Factory Busted in Thailand, Sibutramine Found

Thairath•Society•21d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai police raid illegal factories in Nonthaburi, uncovering the production and storage of 10 brands of fake diet pills containing the dangerous substance Sibutramine, which led to a death.

•Police busted two facilities in Nonthaburi, Thailand, used for producing and storing counterfeit diet pills.
•Ten brands of fake diet pills were found to contain Sibutramine, a dangerous substance previously used for obesity treatment.
•The investigation was prompted by the death of a woman in Bangkok who consumed a diet pill from the brand 'Bashi'.
•Several high-ranking officials, including the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office and the Secretary-General of the FDA, attended the press conference.

Overview

•On July 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM, police raided two factories in Bang Mae Nang, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi, due to intelligence reports about the production of fake diet pills.
•Police arrested three Myanmar nationals identified as Ms. KHIN NWE LIN (25), Mr. AUNG TIN WIN (27), and Mr. SAI SHWE AUNG (21) at the production site.
•A second location, a warehouse approximately 1 kilometer away, was found to be used for storing finished products and as a distribution point.
•The raid was initiated after a woman in Din Daeng, Bangkok, died in February the same year from consuming 'Bashi' diet pills.
•Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office, stated that 10 brands of diet pills contained Sibutramine, a dangerous substance.
•Sibutramine was previously a controlled substance for obesity treatment but is now classified as a Type 1 psychotropic substance due to severe cardiovascular side effects.
•The FDA Secretary-General, Supatra Boonseum, warned that Sibutramine causes heart failure and death, cautioning against any supplement promising rapid weight loss.
•Authorities are currently investigating the financiers behind the operation and the distribution channels for these illegal products.

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Key Quotes

Supamas Isaraphakdee

"Crucially, it was found that Sibutramine was an ingredient in 10 brands of diet pills, and Sibutramine is very dangerous."

ที่สำคัญคือพบว่ามีสารไซบูทรามีน (Sibutramine) เป็นส่วนประกอบในการผลิตยาลดความอ้วนอยู่ 10 ยี่ห้อ ซึ่งสารไซบูทรามีนมีอันตรายมาก

Supatra Boonseum

"I reiterate that Sibutramine is a psychotropic substance that suppresses appetite, affecting the cardiovascular system when consumed."

ขอย้ำว่าไซบูทรามีนเป็นวัตถุออกฤทธิ์ต่อประสาท เป็นสารที่กดความอยากกินอาหารในร่างกาย เมื่อรับประทานเข้าไปจะมีผลต่อระบบหัวใจ หลอดเลือด

Key Entities

Organization

Police(ตำรวจ)

The law enforcement agency that conducted the raid and investigation.

Special Branch Bureau of Metropolitan Police(บก.สส.บชน.)

The unit of the police responsible for intelligence and investigation, which led the raid.

FDA(อย.)

The Food and Drug Administration, a Thai government agency responsible for regulating food and drugs, which issued warnings.

Person

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiphat Lueangwilai(พล.ต.ต.โชติวัฒน์ เหลืองวิไล)

Commander of Special Branch Bureau of Metropolitan Police, who led the operation.

Ms. KHIN NWE LIN(นาง KHIN NWE LIN)

One of the three Myanmar nationals arrested for managing the illegal diet pill factory.

Mr. AUNG TIN WIN(นาย AUNG TIN WIN)

One of the three Myanmar nationals arrested for managing the illegal diet pill factory.

Mr. SAI SHWE AUNG(นาย SAI SHWE AUNG)

One of the three Myanmar nationals arrested for managing the illegal diet pill factory.

Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdee(นางสาวศุภมาส อิศรภักดี)

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office who attended the press conference.

Pol. Gen. Samran Nuamma(พล.ต.อ.สำราญ นวลมา)

Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police who attended the press conference.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boon som(พล.ต.ท. สยาม บุญสม)

Commissioner of Metropolitan Police who attended the press conference.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Noppasil Phoolsawat(พล.ต.ท. นพศิลป์ พูลสวัสดิ์)

Commissioner for attached, Office of the Commissioner-General, Royal Thai Police, who attended the press conference.

Pharmacist Supatra Boonseum(เภสัชกรหญิง สุภัทรา บุญเสริม)

Secretary-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who briefed the press.

Place

Nonthaburi(นนทบุรี)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the illegal factories were located and raided.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The capital city of Thailand where the victim who consumed the fake diet pill resided.

Law

Bashi(บาชิ)

The brand of diet pill that a deceased woman consumed, which triggered the investigation.

Sibutramine(ไซบูทรามีน)ℹ️

A dangerous chemical ingredient found in the fake diet pills that suppresses appetite but has severe cardiovascular side effects.