Stars in faulty products case ‘were victims’
Claim they thought licences were real
Four celebrities yesterday showed up to give statements to the police after being summoned for questioning over their endorsement of cosmetic and weight loss products found to be substandard.
Pitchanart “May” Sakhakorn, Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul, Orapan “Aoffy Maxim” Dans iriw at tan akun,andN ont a porn“Yae” Teerawatanasuk met deputy national police chief Wirachai Songmetta at the Royal Thai Police ahead of their scheduled meetings.
They are among nine stars served with summonses to appear next week. There are also another 59 celebrities and artists police intend to summon for questioning in connection with the substandard skincare and health products linked to Magic Skin Co.
Each of those products carried either a fake FDA certificate or the wrong certificate. The trademarks included Apple Slim, Slim Milk, Snow Milk, Fern, Magic Skin, Shinoshi, Treechada and Mezzo.
The stars were found involved in “product review” advertisements following an extended investigation.
Eight people have been arrested for selling fake products.
Police said earlier the stars might be formally charged with using misleading words in promoting the products and falsely presenting the properties of food supplements, along with unauthorised advertising of the products.
Pol Gen Wirachai said that the four actresses reported to authorities early to give their statements as a goodwill gesture. At this time, they are treated as witnesses.
However, police would have to consider if they breached any laws, he said.
Police will consider several elements to decide if charges would be lodged. They have to investigate if these celebrities were in league with the product owners.
“The police will have to ask the consumers to see how the celebrities’ involvement in these products affected their opinions. These are elements the police have to consider,” he said.
Police are expected to interview all the stars, celebrities and artists within 45 days, the deputy national police chief said.
He went on to add that at this time, arrest warrants were deemed unnecessary given the cooperation provided.
The actresses yesterday pleaded for understanding, saying checking the products’ licences was a standard procedure before they agreed to the product reviews.
In this case, they said they were also the damaged parties stating they were unaware about the licences.
Pitchanart said she had her personal manager verify the products’ licences before she agreed to review them.
“I’m lucky that I didn’t develop any symptoms. I tried the product and when it turned out okay I gave my reviews,” she said.
The actress said she felt uncomfortable about this case and would provide full cooperation to the police while noting that she was also affected by these substandard products.
Nontaporn admitted she personally knew Kasit Worachington, one of the suspects, and said she enjoyed trying out new products.
She said she would be devastated if it turned out that she was complicit in the fraud, noting that she was also fooled by the product manufacturers.