Building a dietary supplement brand involves more than simply obtaining a Thai FDA registration number. When marketing a product, advertisements that include claims about its benefits, quality, or properties must receive approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before publication. This approval is known as a Food Advertising Permit (ฆอ.2), commonly referred to in Thailand as “Kho Or” (ฆอ.) approval.

Why Is Advertising Approval Required Even After Obtaining a Thai FDA Registration Number?

A Thai FDA registration number and a Food Advertising Permit serve different purposes.

• Thai FDA Registration Number: Relates to product registration and product information.
• Food Advertising Permit (ฆอ.): Relates to the advertising claims and messages used to promote the product.

Therefore, obtaining a Thai FDA registration number does not automatically authorize a brand to advertise claims about the product’s benefits or properties. Brands intending to communicate claims regarding a product’s benefits, quality, or properties should ensure that the advertising content is reviewed and approved before publication.

Which Types of Advertisements Require Thai FDA Approval?

The key factor is not the advertising channel, but the content of the advertisement. If the text, images, or audio contain claims relating to the benefits, quality, or properties of food products, prior approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) is required.

This applies to various marketing channels, including websites, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, videos, and other online advertising platforms.

Conversely, advertisements that do not make claims about a product’s benefits, quality, or properties may not require an advertising permit (ฆอ.).

Therefore, each advertisement should be reviewed individually to determine whether approval is required before publication.

Why Should Brand Owners Prioritize FDA Advertising Approval?

1. Ensure Compliance with Advertising Regulations

Reviewing advertising content before publication helps reduce the risk of exaggerated, misleading, or non-compliant claims, ensuring that advertisements meet Thai FDA requirements.

2. Minimize Risks in Content Creation and Marketing

Brand owners can effectively plan key messages for artwork, videos, websites, and other marketing materials based on approved advertising claims.

3. Enhance Brand Credibility

Communicating accurate product information in compliance with regulatory requirements helps brands build credibility and manage their marketing activities more systematically.

Advertising Approval Application Fees

The current official fees for obtaining a food advertising permit from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) are as follows:

• Application Review Fee: THB 2,000 per application
• Permit Issuance Fee: THB 5,000 per permit

Therefore, the total official fee is THB 7,000 if the application is approved.

The Thai FDA generally specifies a processing time of approximately 8 working days, excluding any additional time required for document revisions or the submission of supplementary information.

Can Additional Advertising Claims Be Used After Obtaining FDA Advertising Approval?

Advertising content should remain consistent with the details approved by the Thai FDA. Any additional or modified claims that differ from the approved content should be reviewed before publication.

This also applies to content created by Influencers, Affiliates, and product reviewers. Brand owners should ensure that all promotional messages comply with the approved claims, as obtaining an advertising approval number does not automatically authorize additional product claims.

Conclusion

Thai FDA registration applies to the product, while advertising approval (ฆอ.) applies to its promotional content.

Brands intending to advertise the benefits, quality, or properties of their products should obtain the necessary advertising approval before publication to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize long-term legal risks.

Maydi International provides comprehensive support, from formulation development and Thai FDA product registration to advertising approval documentation, helping brand owners prepare their products for market entry with confidence and compliance.