Thailand Tightens Rules on Beauty Clinics, Requires Doctor Credentials

The Thai government has tightened regulations on cosmetic clinics following enforcement of a new Medical Council announcement on advertising by medical professionals in the beauty industry, effective July 3, 2025. Doctors advertising cosmetic services must now clearly display their full legal names and professional medical license numbers; if using nicknames, these must appear alongside their real names in identical format, size, and color to allow the public to verify their identity and credentials and reduce the risk of fraud or using unlicensed practitioners.

Simultaneously, the Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office has instructed the Consumer Protection Board to strengthen oversight of the cosmetic business sector and coordinate with the Medical Council, the Department of Health Service Support, and the National Police to investigate and prosecute unlicensed individuals falsely claiming to be doctors, as well as businesses violating the law. Cases of illegal botox and filler injections by unlicensed practitioners pose serious health risks to consumers.

The government has warned the public that botox injections, fillers, and cosmetic procedures are medical treatments that must be performed by licensed doctors in legally authorized medical facilities. Before seeking services, consumers should verify two critical points: whether the provider is a genuinely licensed doctor and whether the facility is a legally authorized medical establishment. Citizens who encounter unlicensed practitioners or suffer harm from cosmetic services can report tips to the Consumer Protection Board hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect app, the Consumer Protection Board website, or provincial Ombudsman offices for prompt investigation and legal action.