Previously, it became a hot topic late at night in the supplement industry when a female entrepreneur, May Wasana Intasaeng, posted a message after a clip surfaced where an influencer compared products to review them and disparaged another brand by throwing it away, while tagging a shopping cart with the products not discarded for purchase.
After watching the clip, May posted, “I do not support business practices, branding, or reviews that harm others in an unethical manner. 'Tagged cart, original poster comments thank you.' This matter must be resolved completely!! And stop educating the market that more ingredients = better No.” Subsequently, the clip owner deleted the video and disabled comments.
Recently, May Wasana was interviewed at the "BioActive+ Gluta Land" event at EveandBoy The Underground, Siam Square One. She stated she does not support belittling other people's products and confirmed the issue is now in legal proceedings. She wants to sue to prevent other influencers from following this example, and affirmed she has never personally known the influencer or brand owner involved.
Recent post?
“Okay, the issue started when an influencer posted a clip on TikTok, which many have probably seen. The clip was widely shared. Personally, my post was not just for myself but as a brand, I do not support belittling products or influencers and KOLs, whether receiving free reviews or paid, doing reviews like this.
Personally, and on behalf of others, I don’t want this to happen—not just for myself. Acting as a voice, if this brand is a small SME, the voice might not be loud enough. If this is allowed, such incidents will continue. I feel that belittling and throwing away others’ products, bluffing, telling people to stop using something without sincerity—all of this is negative marketing, a destructive form of competition.
If everyone sees it, you would know this is the target. Regarding the brand owner I mentioned, okay, you commented, okay, maybe you thanked. I understand. But when it is shared and reposted, I feel it implies support. Do you agree? I’m not sure, but sharing makes it feel like they are partners in this, and importantly, tagging the cart means it’s business.
So I feel this is a matter of business ethics that should not happen in Thailand or in our influencer community, regardless of the review content. We have the right to compare products, but should not disparage others, whether people or objects. I think it is disrespectful. Personally, if my product can’t continue, that’s personal—we can express opinions.”
Have you ever known this influencer before?
“Never known them, neither the brand owner nor the influencer personally. But I saw that they deleted the clip, though the digital footprint remains everywhere. Even if deleted, we have seen it, right?”
Have you seen any messages that seemed to refer to you?
“Actually, I don’t want to be drawn into it because if you know me, there have been many issues. I dislike drama in life. But if I don’t act as a voice this time, this event has happened before but those who spoke up did not have enough voice to improve our industry. So this is the ultimate goal. As for unrelated issues, they don’t concern me, so I prefer not to comment on matters that are not mine.”
Has the influencer contacted you to apologize through all channels?
“Yes.”
“I replied acknowledging the messages. (What did they say?) They said it was not intentional or deliberate. It wasn’t a live video. To me, it was a clip that had been reviewed and edited.”
“I feel the incident happened already. I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it did happen and became digital footprint. It’s widely discussed in the industry.”
Many think you have problems with the brand owner?
“Never met or known personally. I know their name but not personally and we never had issues.”
Have there been business disputes reported?
“No. That event involved a customer of the factory. I produce for about 3,000 brands, so some customers use the factory. It was a friend of a client who had issues, but it was resolved 4 years ago with no winners or losers—just stepping back and settling matters amicably.”
Is it confusing that a customer’s dispute got mixed with your case?
“It’s really a different matter. It’s confusing. I don’t know how this issue got linked. It’s up to people’s judgment. People may talk about it, but it’s a different issue. I focus on the KOL influencer clip, reposts, and comments, which I don’t want to happen.”
Honestly, imagine being an SME brand owner who has invested all their money carefully, and you haven’t even tried other products, but this happens. They might go bankrupt. Entrepreneurs without a voice should not have to face this.”},{
How has this issue damaged your brand?
“Of course it caused damage. Our brand is from New Zealand, a global brand with partners. Even partners who have been in business 40 years were confused. It affected us because when one KOL shares information, it educates and reflects their perspective.”},{
“We must take responsibility for what happened. This is an unavoidable fact. When putting products in carts, we benefit, but when widespread damage occurs, it must be dealt with through proper processes.”},{
“Ultimately, consumers decide what they love or like and the results. Our duty is to raise product quality for consumers, but we should not devalue other brands.”},{
How will you handle this moving forward?
“Legally, because the event already happened. I’m not the sole decision-maker. We have a board, including the New Zealand board and team, who agreed it affected us. The brand’s value is global, not just Thailand. Since this happened, the board’s decision is to proceed legally.”},{
Will there be legal action against both people who posted?
“It’s still in legal process and the matter just arose. The influencer will face legal procedures. The other party will be dealt with if there is negative impact. If not, no worries.”
“I don’t want this to happen again. I don’t want new generation influencers to do this, then delete and nothing happens, encouraging others to do the same.”
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