LOP BURI: A retired soldier was injured when an electric massage chair malfunctioned, nearly strangling him, at a department store in Muang district.
Sgt Maj 1 Suthas Muangpha, 63, said he had been a regular user of the massage chair service at the store. He found it relaxing.
On Monday, he put 20 baht in coins into the slot in one of chairs, as usual, for a 10-minute massage.
It functioned normally for about 5 minutes. Then the rollers suddenly began strangling his neck and head. He shouted for help and people came to his rescue, Thai media reported.
He suffered head injuries and swollen eyes.
Representatives of the company that installed the chairs later visited the injured victim, and gave him 20,000 baht in compensation.
TV Channel 8 said the representatives said the firm would take responsibility if anyone else suffered the same problem.
But Sgt Maj 1 Suthas said he was now scared off using the chairs - for good.
Photos of the retired soldier and his injuries drew sympathy after they were posted online.
Food and Drug Administration deputy secretary-general Surachok Tangwiwat said the firm that installed the massage chairs at the store had been registered with the FDA to import medical devices since 2016. However, it did not notify the FDA it was importing electric massage chairs.
The FDA has filed charges against the firm for its failure to notify. The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail and/or fine of 200,000 baht, Dr Surachok said.
He said the massage chairs were medical devices that posed no threat to life. They were allowed to be installed for massage and relaxation.
However, any operator who exaggerated the chairs' benefits, claiming they could cure illness, would face charges, the FDA deputy secretary-general said.