DSI uncovers 20,000 counterfeit items in Bangkok mall raid

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided 11 shops and warehouses in a prominent Bangkok shopping mall, uncovering over 20,000 counterfeit items with an estimated damage of 20 million baht.

The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Pheyao Thongsen, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, took place on Tuesday, August 26, following reports of shops allegedly selling and storing counterfeit goods. The raid targeted specific locations in the Pathum Wan district, guided by 11 search warrants issued by the Intellectual Property Court.

DSI officials, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Ponsan Therdsanguan, Director of the Intellectual Property Crime Bureau, along with special operations officers, discovered counterfeit products including bags, sunglasses, perfumes, watches, and hats. Representatives of the affected brands participated in the operation to identify and verify the counterfeit items.

The seized counterfeit goods included brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Dior. DSI officials estimated the total number of items to be over 20,000, with an approximate market value of 20 million baht. The case, registered as Special Case 91/2567, is being pursued under the Trademark Act of 1991.

“The DSI has confiscated the counterfeit goods as evidence for further investigation under the Special Case Investigation Act of 2004 and its amendments.”

The operation falls under the policy directives of Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the DSI, emphasising the agency’s commitment to combating intellectual property infringement.

The DSI aims to bolster Thailand’s economic system and improve the country’s ranking in intellectual property rights enforcement. Intellectual property violations not only infringe on the rights of the original owners but also harm the national economy, reported KhaoSod.

“We urge the public to report any intellectual property violations to the DSI hotline at 1202.”

In related news, Thailand’s Department of Intellectual Property teamed up with the Economic Crime Suppression Division and representatives from several companies to crack down on counterfeit engine parts and shampoos. Officials seized 12,183 items, worth over 10 million baht, in an operation aimed at protecting consumers from dangerous, substandard products.