B173m in fake goods destroyed

The Commerce Ministry has damaged more than 400, 000 counterfeit goods really worth about 173 million baht, seized in raids to protect mental property rights.

Deputy Business Minister Sinit Lertkrai yesterday oversaw the destruction of 404, 985 fake items that included clothes, luggage, belts, shoes, wristwatches, mobile phones, CDs/VCDs, eyeglasses, cosmetics, car parts and food products.

They were damaged at the base of the 7th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion.

“The government relation the protection associated with intellectual property as very important, ” Mister Sinit said.

He said the government’s initiatives to crack upon intellectual piracy had been paying off as Asia was not included on record of countries in the US’s 2021 Overview of Notorious Markets with regard to Counterfeiting and Piracy.

This accomplishment was the result of joint efforts between ministry’s Department associated with Intellectual Property (DIP) and relevant organizations.

They included the Internal Safety Operations Command (Isoc), Royal Thai Police (RTP), Ministries associated with Defence, Interior plus Digital Economy and Society, Customs Division and Department associated with Special Investigation (DSI).

“Publicly destroying counterfeit items is a key system in showing visibility in dealing with the matter in accordance with World Trade Company and environmental requirements, which can boost confidence among investors and property owners, ” Mister Sinit said.

“These fake products not only hurt the economy of the country but are usually often substandard and may be harmful to someones health, ” this individual added.

The RTP grabbed 93, 945 products, the Customs Division 124, 561 items and the DSI confiscated 186, 479 products.