Thailand’s Ombudsman has urged authorities to fast-track a nationwide crackdown on counterfeit coconut water production, following the arrest of operators at two processing sites in Samut Songkhram province.
The office warned that gaps in enforcement and weaknesses in existing laws are putting consumers at risk while also placing pressure on local coconut farmers.
Ombudsman chairman Songsak Saicheua made the remarks on Thursday after inspecting concerns over declining coconut prices and reports of product adulteration.
His comments came a day after officials raided two facilities in Samut Songkhram suspected of manufacturing fake coconut water.
He said he had already held discussions with relevant stakeholders during a field visit on April 3, where he proposed urgent measures to address the issue, including increasing inspection frequency and deploying multi-agency task forces.
According to Mr Songsak, inspection teams should involve key bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Medical Sciences, and provincial public health offices, with possible support from provincial industry authorities and the Department of Industrial Works.
He noted that current regulations appear insufficient, as they may not empower officials to immediately suspend business operations. As a result, enforcement is often limited to issuing fines while investigations continue.
To address this, the Ombudsman’s Office is pushing for a review of existing laws to enable stricter penalties and allow authorities to temporarily halt production until operators meet regulatory standards.
Mr Songsak said relevant agencies will be called in to accelerate action, stressing that the issue affects not only public health but also consumer confidence and the reputation of Thailand’s agricultural sector.
He also recommended the use of unannounced inspections—similar to those conducted in cases involving nominee business structures—saying such surprise checks have already led to several arrests in provinces where they have been implemented.
At the same time, he said scheduled inspections should remain in place to serve as a deterrent and to fulfil formal regulatory procedures.
