Illegal elephant pants from China seized at Bangkok warehouse

Economic Crime Suppression Division officers swooped on a warehouse in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok and seized 30,000 elephant pants valued at over 6 million baht. The pants were imported from China without paying taxes.

Acting on a tip-off regarding the tax evasion associated with the imported elephant pants from China, officers conducted the raid on the warehouse in Bangkok. The pants were intended for distribution to customers who purchased them through various online platforms.

Officers highlighted that the elephant pants, creatively crafted by Thai artisans, are popular among foreign tourists visiting Thailand. Therefore, the illicit importation of these pants not only affects the country’s revenue but also infringes upon the intellectual property rights of Thai citizens.

According to a report by MGR Online, officers confiscated over 30,000 of these products from the warehouse, with a cumulative value exceeding 6 million baht.

Officers issued a demand to the importer of the products, whose identity remained undisclosed, to settle the requisite taxes and furnish evidence of payment. Non-compliance would lead to legal charges being brought against them.

The Thai government champions elephant pants as one of Thailand’s soft power assets. It aims to boost income for local vendors and the country at large. However, Thai vendors have expressed dissent.

Recent reports from various Thai media outlets reveal elephant pants imported from China outsold their Thai counterparts, primarily due to their lower price. Consequently, the popularity of these pants fails to translate into benefits for locals unless the Thai government takes measures to regulate the import and online sale of such products.

Nevertheless, elephant pants inspire local designers in Thailand, leading to the emergence of signature pants from various provinces across the country. Each province adds its uniqueness to the pattern of the pants.

For example, Nakhon Ratcharima province, also known as Korat, introduced its Korat cat pants, Prachuap Khiri Khan offers shell pants, Uthai Thani presents giant gourami pants, Samut Sakhon showcases fiddler crab pants, Phitsanulok features fighting cock pants, Nan provides whisper of love pants, and Lop Buri brings its naughty monkey to the pant pattern.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri also joined the trend by launching the capybara pants, which quickly sold out on their first day of release.

The investigation is ongoing and, as of now, the Thai police have not yet provided an update on the case.