In a sweeping government-led crackdown, a well-liked Bangkok shopping center was raided yesterday, revealing an enormous stock of counterfeit luxurious baggage and watches. The operation, spearheaded by a 150-strong job drive of Royal Thai Police and Ministry of Commerce officers, marks the most recent transfer in Thailand’s aggressive marketing campaign to stamp out mental property violations.
Based on Authorities Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap, this operation displays Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s dedication to aligning Thailand’s authorized requirements with World Commerce Group (WTO) obligations. The raid is available in response to over 2,000 public complaints submitted to the federal government’s 1111 hotline, detailing illicit companies, bribery, on-line playing, unlawful web sites, and e-cigarette gross sales.
Authorities have uncovered that counterfeit items operations stretch far past one mall. Proof hyperlinks these unlawful enterprises to human trafficking and undocumented international labour, with international nationals—many fluent in English—working as front-line sellers in tourist-heavy areas like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, and Bangkok. Month-to-month bribes between 50,000 and 100,000 baht per retailer have been allegedly paid to sure officers, with whole yearly unlawful earnings estimated to surpass 200 million baht per space. Why are Thailand doing this duping raid?
Dupe Crackdown
Investigators additionally found that officers have been utilizing mule financial institution accounts to gather funds associated to unlawful web sites, together with on-line playing operations. In some provinces, over 1,000 such websites are reportedly lively, with commerce volumes working into the billions. Bribes for sustaining these web sites have been stated to vary from 20,000 to 50,000 baht per URL.
Senior officers beneath investigation embrace people recognized solely as Miss A, Mr T, and Inspector N. The findings have been forwarded to Thailand’s Public Sector Anti-Corruption Fee (PACC), the Anti-Cash Laundering Workplace (AMLO), and the Division of Particular Investigation (DSI).
Regardless of these efforts, Thailand stays on the US Commerce Consultant’s (USTR) Particular 301 Watch Listing for 2025 on account of ongoing issues about mental property safety. Nonetheless, the USTR has acknowledged Thailand’s progress, significantly reforms in copyright and patent legal guidelines and enhancements in Collective Administration Group (CMO) operations governing music royalties.
The Thai authorities is now working carefully with the Division of Mental Property, the nationwide police, and worldwide stakeholders to root out counterfeit gross sales and dismantle the transnational crime networks undermining the economic system.
Residents are inspired to report any suspected gross sales of counterfeit items or situations of official corruption. Complaints might be filed by calling 1111, mailing Voice of Thai Individuals, Authorities Home, Bangkok 10300, or emailing [email protected]
