The brother of a Kanchanaburi woman who died after taking Lyn brand weight loss pills is to file charges against the sales agent and the company for causing irreparable loss to his family.
Wutthikon, brother of the late Phimonwan Mon-ing yesterday said his sister's death led to another tragic loss for the family. He said their broken-hearted mother fell ill and died six days after his sister passed away last month.
Phimonwan, 31, separated from her husband almost two years ago. They had a nine-year-old son, who mostly lived with his father.
Mr Wutthikon said he and his sister had jointly helped support the family, especially their youngest sister who is studying at a university. They also had to take care of their 60-year-old father who is ill. He said he is consulting a lawyer on what legal action to take against the agent and the supplier.
The woman who sold the pills is believed to be a friend of hers, Mr Wutthikon said. They talked about the diet pills online before Phimonwan decided to buy them.
The text conversation was key evidence the family provided Muang police in Kanchanaburi after Phimonwan's death in late March.
Phimonwan died after reportedly suffering chest and breathing problems before losing consciousness. She fell ill about 30 days after first taking Lyn products, according to investigators.
The Institute of Forensic Medicine, which conducted the autopsy, said Phimonwan died of sibutramine poisoning.
Sibutramone, an appetite suppressant, and bisacodyl, a type of laxative, were two harmful chemicals allegedly found in Lyn products. The Food and Drug Administration banned them in 2010.
So far three people, including Phimonwan, have died after taking Lyn diet pills. Forensic experts are conducting autopsies on the two other victims.
Deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta, said on Saturday that premeditated murder charges were likely.
According to media reports, Lyn drugs are made at a Food Science Supply Service Co factory in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district and the sales agent is Ekakkharin Co, run by Phinlaphat Ekakkharin.