Thailand destroys more than 2 million items of counterfeit goods

BANGKOK, Sept 3 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon presided over a ceremony to officially destroy more than 2 million items of seized counterfeit goods worth more than 1.3 billion baht at the 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion of the 1st Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment in Bangkok. In all, 2,101,347 confiscated articles estimate to be worth 1.374 billion baht were publicly destroyed. These were made up of fake clothing, purses and handbags, belts, shoes, watches, mobile phones, CDs/VCDs, eyewear, cosmetics, hats, blankets, mechanic's tools and automotive alloy wheels. In his speech Gen Prawit affirmed the government's commitment to combat intellectual property infringements with a strict enforcement of laws alongside programs dedicated to fostering respect among the general public for property rights. Gen Prawit stated that this was the second and largest batch of counterfeit goods that has ever been destroyed in the country. The policing action is an ongoing effort in particular at border crossings where authorities are in a constant battle to eradicate often incredible reproductions of popular brand name products. (END) Despite this Gen. Prawit admitted that some items manage to elude official attention but nevertheless the government will not let up its efforts.