Consumer advocates have asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to put curbs on advertisements making exaggerated claims for healthcare products on cable TV.
Kamchai Noibanchong, secretary general of Consumer Protection Association's office in Saraburi province, along with networks from Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Ayutthaya, filed a petition with NBTC member Supinya Klangnarong on Friday.
The groups are complaining that advertisements for health products make exaggerated claims about the properties of the products, and that illegal advertisements are being broadcast on six cable TV channels.
The include commercials presented as programmes using a question and answer pattern. Examples included advertisements for traditional medicines, food supplements and male sex enhancement products.
Mr Kamchai also submitted a CD recording containing examples to Ms Supinya, and asked the NBTC to inform the group of the progress of any investigation every seven days.
The consumer groups proposed the NBTC add conditions that in granting advertising licences a background check be run on the applicants to ensure that they have not been involve in any illegal advertising.
They asked the NBTC review the licences of holders found involved in illegal advertising. The commission should also be serious about punishing offenders and have a system that allows easier filing of complaints about consumer protection violations.
Mr Kamchai earlier filed a complaint with Saraburi provincial public health office asking for an investigation of advertisements making exaggerated claims run by radio stations.