FDA secretary-general Dr Siriwat Tiptaradol said World Health Organisation data showed 50 per cent of online sales of drugs worldwide were counterfeit, as were 15 per cent of all other sales.

Controlled medicines normally requiring a doctor's prescription were for sale without restriction on the Internet, he said.

Most popular online purchases were tranquillisers, diet pills, aphrodisiacs and remedies for male erectile dysfunction. There are side effects and risks of death from taking fake drugs, Siriwat warned.

"It's hard for the authorities to arrest these drug sellers because goods are delivered by post," he explained.

Siriwat noted it was often difficult to detect fake drugs in lab tests because they were well duplicated.

The FDA and police have arrested several domestic counterfeit drug traders by posing as buyers ordering online, but the agency is unable to take action against sellers from other countries, he said.

GIFT BASKETS  :BMA sets standards for contents

Holiday-season gift baskets must now meet standards imposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

"The requirements aim to protect consumers and to raise people's quality of life," Bangkok Deputy Governor Wanlop Suwandee said yesterday. Gift baskets are popular during the period in the run-up to New Year.

According to the BMA's requirements baskets must display a list of items contained together with their prices and expiry dates. If baskets contain fruit and vegetables or other perishable goods they must be fresh and cannot be sold after three days on shelves.

"Customers should be able to return or exchange baskets," Wanlop added.

The BMA will conduct spot checks. Retailers who fail to meet the requirements could face jail and a fine.

Wanlop said the BMA would set up quality checkpoints so shoppers could learn if food items purchased were safe for consumption.

CHIANG MAI :Moves afoot to preserve old quarter

Chiang Mai University architecture school and the municipality want to preserve the city's "enchanting" image of historic buildings and age-old temples with a law controlling new development in the old quarter. "Any building should not be built if it contrasts with the concept of the old Lanna city. The law will control colour, type and the height of all buildings," explained Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranuprakorn.

The law will also control advertising billboards erected within the old city so as not to sully its culturally-rich appearance. Boonlert said the municipality would hold public hearings on the idea of restricting vehicles in the area.