South Korean suspect arrested for 'selling overpriced supplements to fellow tourists in Thailand'
A South Korean salesman was arrested for allegedly selling overpriced supplements to fellow tourists.
Oh Ki Sung, 61, reportedly persuaded his countrymen to buy unapproved traditional medicines at inflated prices at a shop in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
He had allegedly been giving sales presentations at the store for more than a month, despite having no valid work permits.
Several buyers later complained to Thai authorities after discovering that the products, which they had bought for 40,000 baht per box, were not approved by Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The tourists also claimed tour companies had taken them to the shop to purchase the expensive supplements, with operators reportedly receiving kickbacks from the sales.
Tourist Police launched an investigation and raided two locations in Chiang Mai on November 7.
Officers searched the premises of Jinkwang Gemology Co Ltd, where they seized four 'Akar Plus' supplements, two of which were classified as drugs or controlled food products without FDA registration.
They also found Oh giving sales talks to a South Korean tour group in a VIP room.
He allegedly confessed that he had been selling the unapproved products to customers, claiming they could treat various diseases.
Officers also detained a Burmese worker, 27, Nan Nom Mo, and a stateless woman, Waranya Luksueng, 26, who were allegedly involved in the scheme.
All three were charged with working in Thailand as foreigners without a work permit or beyond the scope of their permitted rights.
They were handed over to San Kamphaeng Police Station for legal proceedings.
Police also raided Bio-Korea Trading Co Ltd, a legally registered food manufacturing factory.
They found eight products, four of which had valid FDA registrations, one had an incorrect label, and three were sold under the unregistered Agar Thai 2026 brand.
The products were seized for examination to determine whether they contained impurities or substances hazardous to health.
Tourism officials said two tour companies, which had failed to include visits to the two shops in their approved itineraries, were facing 'strict penalties', including the possible suspension of their operating licences.
Authorities said an investigation was underway to determine whether the South Korean financier involved in tourism operations had used Thai nationals as proxy shareholders to run the companies.
Police Colonel Maen Rodthong of the Tourist Police said it would step up enforcement against businesses accused of pressuring tourists into buying overpriced products.
He said: 'We are committed to strengthening enforcement and coordinating with relevant agencies to take decisive action against these practices.'
