The Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) is proactively strengthening consumer protection efforts by mobilizing civil society networks from various sectors. A total of 38 organizations have joined forces to address exaggerated advertising of health products and consumption behaviors that increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which remain a major challenge for the country. According to Thai FDA data, more than 3,000 complaints related to health products are filed each year, and over 50 percent involve illegal advertising through online media.

Mr. Lertchai Lertvut, Deputy Secretary-General of the Thai Food and Drug Administration, stated that online media has become the main channel for health product advertising.
Thai FDA surveillance has found more than 20,000 health product advertisements per year that may violate the law, most of which involve exaggerated claims, including claims to prevent or cure diseases. Such advertisements may mislead the public into using products inappropriately, thereby affecting consumers’ health and safety.

Mr. Lertchai Lertvut further stated that the Thai FDA has established a policy to systematically drive risk communication on health products by emphasizing integrated cooperation with civil society networks across all sectors, including business operators, consumer organizations, professional bodies, the media, the education and academic sector, and government agencies, totaling 38 organizations. This collaboration aims to strengthen surveillance mechanisms, improve the dissemination of accurate information, and enhance consumer protection more effectively.

In this regard, the meeting approved the Health Product Risk Communication Plan for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes key activities such as the radio program “Elevating Thai FDA for All Thais” and youth awareness campaigns under the concept “Young Smart Consumers”. These initiatives aim to improve health product literacy among people of all age groups, reduce risks arising from misleading advertisements, and strengthen the consumer health protection system to be more robust and sustainable in the long term.   

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Publication Date 27 January 2026