BANGKOK, Thailand – Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office Supamas Isarabhakdi has directed the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) to monitor and alert the public about substandard squishy toys, particularly unbranded or imitation products, after overseas reports of potential hazardous chemical contamination. The Minister, who oversees the OCPB, stated that the agency will collaborate with the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) to inspect squishy toys sold both in stores and online. This initiative aims to remove substandard products and enhance consumer safety, especially for children and youth. She noted that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has stressed the importance of protecting children from unsafe everyday products. The Minister has tasked her advisor Pradermchai Boonchuayluea, secretary to the Minister Patcharin Sumsiripong, and OCPB Secretary-General Ronnarong Phoolpipat to work proactively with relevant agencies and to closely monitor the situation.
The Minister identified the main risks as chemical residues from low-quality materials and potential accidents with toys that resemble food or snacks. Parents should select products with Thai-language labels, clear manufacturer or importer information, and the Thai Industrial Standards mark. Products with strong chemical odors or unusually strong fragrances should be avoided. Consumers should clean squishy toys before use, wash them regularly, and discard any that are torn, deteriorated, or moldy. Young children should not play with these toys without adult supervision. The OCPB stated that consumer products subject to labeling regulations must display required information in Thai. Unsafe products that cause harm may expose manufacturers, importers, and sellers to liability under consumer protection laws. Consumers may report unsafe products through the OCPB hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, ocpb.go.th, or Damrongdhama centers nationwide. (NNT)
