B12m fakes seized in warehouse raid

PATONG: More than 12,000 fake items with a street value of 12 million baht were seized in a raid on a warehouse in Patong yesterday. The haul, one of the largest in Phuket so far, was the latest in a crackdown that now involves police checks on outlets in tourist areas almost every day. Among the imitation items of clothing were the well-known brands Lacoste, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Oakley and Timberland. Prasert Kraisuwan, 51, told police he was the owner of the goods. He bought the fakes in Bangkok and was planning to sell them to retailers. The Deputy Director of Phuket Commercial Affairs, Tharadol Thongruang, and a brands representative discovered the haul when they went with police carrying a search warrant to a three-story building at 66/6 Soi Kebsab about 1:30 pm yesterday. Infringement of trademark and copyright laws carries a maximum penalty of four years in jail, a fine of up to 400,000 baht, or both. K. Tharadol told the Gazette that most fake goods retailers were willing to co-operate and stop selling imitation items, and were being offered the alternative of selling “One Tambon One Product” goods.