Beware of your underwear

BANGKOK:The government has issued a warning advising women to beware of underwear vendors who claim their expensive, tight-fitting panties can melt away fat and cure a host of diseases. Despite the underwear being sold at more than 10,000 baht a pair, a number of young women have already fallen victim to the spurious claims. Direct salespeople sell the undies using high-pressure tactics, including claims they are made of a “special synthetic fiber”. This fiber, it is claimed, not only improves the figure but also puts a shine in the wearer’s complexion. It is not clear, however, whether it is the skin on the buyer’s face or rear end that is supposed to glow as a result. But now the dreams of would-be miracle knicker-wearers have been smashed. A Ministry of Public Health spokeswoman said that medical science has never come up with underwear that could boost the complexion – or cure diseases. She also pointed out that obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, cautioning that wearing extra-tight underwear, far from leading to miracle cures, can actually exacerbate medical problems and may lead to scarring.