Tourist police seized THB30 million (about US$919,000) worth of knock-offs at Chiang Mai’s famed Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market last night.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpan, deputy commander of the Tourist Police (aka.Thailand’s self-proclaimed “crime buster”) led a team of a hundred officers to investigate a pair of popular night markets in Chiang Mai’s Muang District after getting a tip about stores smuggling in and selling pirated goods.
To be honest, we’re not sure how necessary a “tip” was given that these markets have always sold knock-off brands.
Over the course of the raids, authorities seized 27,000 fake brand-name goods including electronics, hand bags, clothes, glasses and shoes, according to Workpoint.
Twelve retailers were also arrested for violating the 1991 Trademark Act.
Speaking to Channel 7 news, Gen. Surachet said the bust is part of the government’s effort to eliminate the country’s intellectual property infringement.
They now plan to focus their effort on tracking down the source of production, importers, investors and online marketers in order to put an end to the industry from its roots, he said.
Right.
Forgive our cynicism, but given the fact that access to easily obtainable knock-offs is sort of a given here, we can’t help but wonder what prompted the timing of this particular inspection.
There are plenty of markets all over the country selling fake goods in broad daylight, so why did this particular one get so unlucky?
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