Police raided a factory producing and storing fake diet pills in Nonthaburi after a death linked to consumption. They found the dangerous substance "Sibutramine" in 10 brands of these pills.
At 10:00 a.m. on 7 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division, led investigators with a search warrant to inspect two factories. The first was in Bang Maenang Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province, following intelligence that it produced fake diet pills.
The search uncovered large quantities of evidence, including chemicals used in production, manufacturing machinery, and packaging for various diet pill brands. Three caretakers were arrested at the site; all were Myanmar nationals: Mrs. Khin Nwe Lin, 25, Mr. Aung Tin Win, 27, and Mr. Sai Shwe Aung, 21.
About one kilometer from the production factory, the second site was a warehouse belonging to a company, identified as a storage and distribution center. Officials found multiple brands of fully produced and packaged products ready for shipment. All evidence was seized for further examination.
The investigation began after a woman in Din Daeng, Bangkok, died in February from taking the diet pill brand “Bashi.” Her relatives filed a complaint urging police to trace the source of production to prevent further deaths. Police traced the operation to Nonthaburi, confirming two locations: one factory and one warehouse for raw materials and packaging awaiting delivery to customers.
Later, Supamas Isarapakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office; Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of Police; Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of Metropolitan Police Bureau; Pol. Lt. Gen. Nopphasin Poolsawat, Commissioner attached to the Office of Police Strategy; and pharmacist Supattra Boonserm, FDA Secretary-General, visited the warehouse to jointly announce the arrest results.
Supamas Isarapakdi stated that after the Metropolitan Police investigation and raid on the illegal diet pill factory, it was found that 10 brands contained the substance Sibutramine. Sibutramine is highly dangerous; it was formerly a controlled medication for obesity but is now classified as a Category 1 psychoactive substance because it suppresses appetite and induces satiety but has severe cardiovascular side effects. Several years ago, police had cracked down on such factories until production stopped temporarily, but illegal manufacturing resumed. The public is urged to report any suspicious illegal supplement factories to the FDA hotline 1556 for legal action. Authorities are expanding the investigation to identify the factory owner and trace distribution networks for these illegal products.
Pharmacist Supattra said that since 2024 through 2026, the FDA has continuously cracked down on dietary supplements illegally containing Sibutramine. She emphasized that Sibutramine is a psychoactive substance that suppresses appetite but affects the heart and blood vessels. High doses can cause sudden heart attacks and death. She warned the public not to believe claims that such pills can cause rapid weight loss, stressing that no supplement can safely reduce weight quickly. Those who produce or sell such products face up to 10 years in prison.