PATHUM THANI — Authorities have seized about 30,000 bottles of drinking water that is claimed to cure all diseases from a well-known temple in this central province.
A combined team of police, soldiers and health officials inspected Wat Pathum Thong in tambon Ban Pathum of Sam Khok district on Friday evening following complaints that the water, called "Nam Prathum" was being sold there.
The water was being promoted by Phra Ajarn Chairot Khemwaro, a monk at the temple, as a cure for all diseases, including all types of cancer. There is even a website for the product.
Bottled Nam Prathum is claimed to help cure all types of diseases, including cancer.
Authorities found packs containing about 30,000 bottles of the water in a tent erected on the temple grounds.
An initial inspection showed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration numbers on the bottles belonged to another product. The officers then seized the bottles for further examination.
Dr Thanpitchaya Sakpirom, head of the consumer protection unit at the Pathum Thani public health office, said the water had been registered in Ayutthaya, but the FDA number attached to the bottles matched that of another product.
Pol Col Sarot Khumsap, the chief of the the Sam Khok police station who led the raid, said beliefs regarding the use of the water were a sensitive issue and police had not yet taken action against anyone. The only legal question at issue so far relates to FDA approval.
He said police would immediately take action if any damaged parties came forward to lodge a complaint.
Phra Ajarn Chairot Khemwaro could not be reached for comment.