Authorities cracked down on illegal practitioners, arresting four unlicensed dentists and one fake doctor who operated orthodontic and denture services from homes and roadside locations, confiscating more than 1,000 items valued over 300,000 baht.
On 20 Aug 2026 GMT+7, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, along with senior officers and the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), coordinated with Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office and dental public health specialist Dr. Rattapath Jiraphipat to arrest five illegal medical practitioners—four unlicensed dentists and one fake doctor—in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon. Authorities seized 56 categories of medical materials and equipment, totaling over 1,058 items valued at more than 330,000 baht.
Following a report from the Samut Sakhon Provincial Public Health Office and public tips, the Consumer Protection Police Division investigated individuals illegally practicing dentistry without licenses, providing unauthorized denture and retainer services to the public. They arranged appointments at private residences. Police inspections confirmed illegal activity, prompting a coordinated crackdown in August 2026 at five locations targeting illegal medical practitioners and clinics.
1. On 13 Aug 2026 GMT+7, police from the CPPD Division 4, with public health officials and local administrators, executed a search warrant at a residence in Tha Mai subdistrict, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon. They found Ms. Thanyaporn, 30, preparing orthodontic equipment and fitting clients with mouth expanders and applying acid solutions for fashion braces. She held no dental professional license, and the premises lacked business and clinic operation permits.
Ms. Thanyaporn admitted she completed only grade 9 and had self-studied dental procedures via YouTube, practicing on herself before serving clients mainly with fashion braces. She charged starting at 1,300 baht per service, promoted via Facebook, Line, and word of mouth, operating for about one year with monthly earnings around 15,000 baht.
2. On 13 Aug 2026 GMT+7, officers searched a home in Tha Sao subdistrict, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon, discovering Mr. Somchai, 61, preparing dental impression equipment and taking molds for dentures. He lacked dental professional and business operation licenses, and the premises had no clinic permit.
Mr. Somchai stated he completed grade 3 and worked over ten years in a dental lab starting at age 16. He has run his own denture service at home for over 30 years, mainly producing dentures for clinics in Samut Sakhon and nearby provinces, occasionally serving direct clients via phone, earning about 40,000 to 50,000 baht monthly.
3. On 13 Aug 2026 GMT+7, officers searched a residence in Suan Luang subdistrict, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon, finding Ms. Saifon (surname withheld), 44, taking dental impressions for upper and lower teeth to make retainers. She had no dental professional or clinic operation licenses.
Ms. Saifon reported she graduated high school and trained as a dental technician at a private company in Bangkok. Confident in her skills, she began serving clients at home mainly making retainers for about three years, charging roughly 9,000 baht per service.
4. On 18 Aug 2026 GMT+7, police arrested Ms. Uthai, 56, at the Uthai Dental Technique shop on a sidewalk in Anusawari subdistrict, Bang Khen district, Bangkok. Authorities seized 11 items totaling 509 pieces of dentures, resin, and dental equipment. She was charged with practicing dentistry without registration or a license.
Ms. Uthai said she completed grade 6 and learned denture making while working in a private dental lab. She has operated the denture repair and production shop for 4-5 years, serving about 4-5 customers daily.
5. On 18 Aug 2026 GMT+7, police executing a search warrant at an aesthetic clinic in Bang Kaeo subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, found Ms. Thitima, 26, administering vitamin drips to a client without a doctor present.
Ms. Thitima stated she holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and a nursing license but no medical professional license. She recently resigned and started working at the clinic about one month ago. Police arrested her for practicing medicine without registration or a license, seizing 124 items including vitamin drip sets, saline containers, syringes, used medicine bottles, and 15 unregistered pharmaceutical products valued at about 20,000 baht.
In total, police raided five locations, arresting five suspects—four illegal dentists and one fake doctor—seizing 56 categories of medical equipment totaling over 1,058 pieces worth more than 330,000 baht. The suspects were handed to investigators and all four illegal dentists confessed to all charges.
Initial offenses identified include:
1. Illegal dentists violating the Dental Professions Act of 1994 by practicing without registration or a license, punishable by up to two years imprisonment, a fine up to 30,000 baht, or both.
2. Fake doctors violating the Medical Professions Act of 1982 by practicing medicine without permission, punishable by up to three years imprisonment, a fine up to 30,000 baht, or both.
3. Illegal operation of clinics violating the Healthcare Facilities Act of 1998 by running medical facilities without authorization, punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine up to 100,000 baht, or both.
Dr. Rattapath Jiraphipat, dental public health specialist and deputy public health officer of Samut Sakhon, also serving as Dental Council liaison, warned the public against receiving services from unauthorized dental providers unregulated by public health or FDA authorities. Beyond financial loss, such services risk oral health hazards due to non-standard, unclean, and improperly sterilized instruments, potentially spreading infections. The Dental Council emphasizes that all dental services—including orthodontics, dentures, and retainers—must be provided only by licensed dentists using products meeting FDA standards.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai, CIB chief, said this crackdown sends a clear warning to those impersonating medical professionals to exploit public health risks for profit. Treatment by fake doctors carries high risks of infection, errors, or permanent disability—incalculable damages reflecting how a single poor choice in healthcare can change lives forever.
Because teeth are vital for chewing and personal appearance, treatment must come from licensed dentists and authorized clinics. Patients should always check the dentist’s nameplate and clinic license status on the Dental Council website before receiving care to avoid harm. Suspicious cases can be reported via the Consumer Protection Police Division hotline 1135 or their Facebook page.