http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060126/D8FCCBVG0.htmlBANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Health authorities are clamping down on a Thai teen fashion fad - wearing fake orthodontic braces.
Officials said Thursday they plan to target those who sell and make the pseudo dental gear with steep fines and prison time.
Girls flashing multicolored metallic grins are regularly featured in teen magazines as braces have become more common in Thailand, transforming the dental gear into a fashion statement.
Rather than getting fitted for the real and expensive option, teens have been buying do-it-yourself kits in stores and selecting colored rubber bands to match their outfits or moods.
Rasamee Vistaveth, secretary-general of the Consumer Protection Board, said the agency was planning to sign an order Thursday punishing sellers of fake braces with six months in prison or a $1,300 fine.
Importers and producers could face up to one year behind bars and a $2,600 fine.
