In the first half of 2024, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) reported 747 cases of intellectual property infringement, leading to the seizure of 1.72 million counterfeit items. While the number of cases dropped by over 20% compared to last year, the volume of seized goods increased by nearly 34%.

The Royal Thai Police reported 443 cases, resulting in the seizure of 1,330,477 items, including 266 cases under the Trademark Act with 799,642 items, 174 cases under the Copyright Act with 527,605 items, and 3 cases under the Patent Act with 3,230 items. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) handled 4 cases, confiscating 78,666 items, all under the Trademark Act. Customs recorded 300 cases, with 314,771 items seized.

In a significant operation on August 15, 2024, police discovered a warehouse in Bangkok containing counterfeit goods valued at 20 million baht (approx. 520,000 EURO), including luxury items such as watches and perfumes. This raises concerns about product quality, smuggling, and the competitive challenges faced by local businesses. To address these issues, business groups have recommended enhancing quality controls and bolstering support for domestic industries. The government intends to incorporate this feedback into new policies aimed at strengthening and protecting the domestic market.

On August 16, 2024, the Foreign Trade Department representatives met with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade of Thailand, and the Federation of Thai Industries to address concerns about low-quality imported goods and their impact on Thai businesses. They discussed measures such as stricter quality controls on imports, the implementation of tax policies to safeguard domestic producers, enhancing Thai companies' production capabilities and entrepreneurial skills to retain market share, and revising laws and agreements that limit Thai trade.

These coordinated efforts and collaborative discussions reflect Thailand's ongoing commitment to protecting intellectual property and strengthening its domestic market, setting a positive tone for the future of IP enforcement in the country.

If you have any inquiries regarding intellectual property matters, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Max WORRASANGASILPA, S&O IP Thailand, IP Associate