Bangkok: In a decisive move to ensure consumer safety in the beauty industry, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, has instructed the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) to collaborate with the police and the Medical Council to eliminate the practice of illegal doctors. This directive follows the recent arrest of two individuals posing as doctors who were performing cosmetic procedures.

According to Thai News Agency, the individuals arrested had only completed high school and vocational school but used their experience working in clinics to illegally offer cosmetic injections at home, earning over 100,000 baht per month. Ms. Supamas highlighted this as a new risk within the beauty sector, shifting from regulated clinics to informal settings where unlicensed individuals exploit online platforms to reach consumers.

This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's policy prioritizing consumer safety and follows previous measures by Ms. Supamas after a death in a cosmetic clinic in April. She has mandated the CPB to scrutinize cosmetic clinics nationwide for adherence to legal standards and personally inspected facilities in Songkhla province.

Legally, practicing medicine without a license carries severe penalties under the Medical Profession Act, with offenders facing up to three years in prison or a fine of 30,000 baht. Additionally, operating an unlicensed medical facility violates the Medical Facilities Act. The CPB is also empowered to enforce consumer protection laws in the beauty industry, with violations resulting in fines or imprisonment.

Ms. Supamas stressed the importance of verifying a doctor's legitimacy and the licensing of medical facilities before undergoing cosmetic procedures to avoid risks such as disfigurement or death. She urged the public to report impersonators or substandard services through various CPB channels, ensuring swift action by the relevant authorities.