On Tuesday, Facebook user Ni Pornnipa posted that she was delighted to get an order for 500 bottles, especially at a time when funds were tight due to the Covid-19 crisis.
However, the order became a nightmare when five men, three of them officials, showed up at pick-up time and demanded to see a production licence. When Ni Pornnipa was unable to produce one, she was fined 12,000 baht.
She later found out that her online customer was linked to these officials.
Her post went viral and many Facebook users shared similar experiences.
In response to this incident, the Excise Department has transferred the three officials and will launch an investigation.
According to the department, Ni Pornnipa should not have been fined because a production licence is only required for mass production or a factory. It is believed the money was returned to the victim.