Police Raid Five Unlicensed Dental Clinics in Bangkok Region
Thai police arrested five unlicensed medical practitioners operating from residential homes across Bangkok and Samut provinces on August 20, 2025, seizing over 1,050 pieces of illegal medical equipment. The suspects included four unlicensed dentists and one unlicensed doctor offering cosmetic teeth straightening and false teeth services to the public. One suspect, a high school dropout, admitted to learning dental techniques entirely from YouTube videos and practicing on herself before operating a business earning up to 15,000 baht per month.
On August 20, 2025, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Samut Sakhon Provincial Health Office launched an operation arresting five unlicensed medical practitioners—four unlicensed dentists and one unlicensed doctor—operating in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon. Officers seized 56 categories of medical equipment and materials totaling over 1,058 pieces valued at more than 330,000 baht.
The operation followed public complaints and reports from the Samut Sakhon Health Office about individuals illegally practicing dentistry without permits, offering fake teeth and retainers from residential homes. Authorities confirmed illegal activity and launched coordinated raids across five locations in August 2025.
At the first location in Krathumbaen District, Samut Sakhon, on August 13, 2025, police found a 30-year-old woman preparing instruments for cosmetic teeth straightening and applying chemical solutions to a customer's teeth. She admitted completing only Grade 9 education, teaching herself from YouTube videos, and practicing on her own mouth before starting a business. She charged clients from 1,300 baht upward for cosmetic teeth straightening services, reached through Facebook and LINE, and earned approximately 15,000 baht monthly over about a year.
At a second location, officers found a 61-year-old man preparing dental molds for false teeth fabrication. He admitted completing only Grade 3 education and working at a dental lab for over 10 years before operating illegally from home for more than 30 years. He received work from local clinics in Samut Sakhon and nearby provinces as well as direct customers, earning approximately 40,000-50,000 baht monthly by phone referral.
At a third location in Suan Luang Subdistrict, Krathumbaen District, Samut Sakhon, on August 13, 2025, police discovered a 44-year-old woman preparing dental molds.