Thailand intensifies efforts to suppress counterfeit goods

BANGKOK, August 5 (TNA) - Concerned authorities in Thailand are going all out to suppress fake and goods violating intellectual property rights after complaints were lodged by many consumers to the Commerce Ministry, said Pajchima Tanasanti, director-general of Commerce Ministry’s Intellectual Property Department. She said Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol has ordered the Department officials to cooperate with the Department of Special Investigation, the Royal Thai Police, the Customs Department and related government agencies to accelerate on suppressing goods violating intellectual property rights after the ministry had received several complaints from people. Officials are inspecting market places and have seized a large amount of counterfeit goods earlier. They are focusing on manufacturing and distribution centres in a bid to wipe out fake goods from the market. Pajchima said meetings had been held with owners of trademark goods, aimed at enabling them to understand officials’ procedures in checking counterfeit goods. Trademark violators would face a maximum four-year imprisonment or a fine of 400,000 baht or both while those copying or imitating goods but not violating intellectual property rights face a maximum of one-year imprisonment or a fine of 2,000 baht or both, she added. (TNA)