Bangkok: Thailand's industrial standards regulator has seized nearly 20,000 substandard "squishy" toys valued at over 1 million baht ($30,000) during raids on a major wholesale market in Bangkok, officials said. The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) conducted coordinated inspections at six retail and distribution centers in the capital's Sampheng market following an investigation into high-traffic shops on the TikTok social media platform.
According to Thai News Agency, a total of 19,665 non-compliant squishy toys were confiscated, TISI Secretary-General Ekanit Romayanon said. Under Thai law, these products are categorized as toys and require mandatory safety certifications. One operator faces charges for unauthorized importation and distribution, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine of up to 2 million baht. The other five operators face charges for selling substandard goods without the mandatory certification mark, carrying penalties of up to six months in prison and/or a 500,000 baht fine.
TISI officials warned that low-grade foam toys fabricated without proper oversight often contain chemical residues, volatile organic compounds, and phthalates, which can pose health risks to children. The agency urged consumers to verify products by scanning the mandatory QR code paired with the official certification mark to ensure authenticity.