Police Bust Counterfeit Lubricant and Sex Toy Operation in Thailand
Police in Thailand have dismantled a counterfeit operation selling lubricants and sex toys online under false pretenses, raising serious health and safety concerns.
On September 6, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) raided two properties in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani. The coordinated action, led by Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, resulted in the seizure of 853 units of lubricant and 734 sex toys. Authorities say the products were marketed online using expired medical device licence numbers to appear credible to buyers.
The raids followed complaints from the public about suspicious sales on social media platforms. Investigators traced the products to a 34-year-old man identified only as Phruen. During questioning, Phruen admitted to owning the seized goods. He confessed that he and a partner had set up a company to sell the products online, claiming at first that it was for “educational purposes.” He also admitted to being involved in international ventures related to the design of adult devices, which he sought to introduce into the Thai market.
Police Colonel Weerapong Klaithong and Police Lieutenant Colonel Rutinan Sattayachai, acting under warrants from the Nonthaburi and Thanyaburi provincial courts, oversaw the operation. The case has now been transferred to investigators in Division 4 of the CPPD for further legal proceedings.
Phruen faces charges of selling counterfeit medical devices and distributing obscene materials. Under Thai law, lubricants fall within the category of medical devices, meaning they must comply with strict safety standards and be properly registered. The seized lubricants, marketed for male use, carried expired licence numbers to gain consumer trust—an illegal practice that could endanger users’ health.
Major General Pattanasak warned that counterfeit products produced outside regulated processes pose significant risks. He emphasized that the CPPD will continue to crack down on illegal markets that exploit loopholes or expired certifications. “Those involved in such unlawful activities must stop immediately,” he cautioned, “as continued violations will be met with relentless enforcement and severe legal consequences.”
The bust highlights Thailand’s ongoing battle against counterfeit medical products, a sector where consumer safety is often compromised for profit. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant when purchasing health-related or intimate products online, ensuring they are sourced from legitimate and licensed distributors.
