Bangkok: The government has launched a significant crackdown on counterfeit goods, revealing the results of a six-month operation that resulted in the seizure of 1.3 million counterfeit items. Integrating "economy, security, and justice" under the Trade Plus policy, the operation accounted for economic damages exceeding 2.3 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas to lead a press conference regarding the crackdown on intellectual property infringement for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year (October 2025 - March 2026). The event, held on April 27, 2026, at the Customs Department, was attended by key figures such as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan and representatives from various ministries, embassies, and international trading partners.
Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas emphasized the government's dedication to systematically addressing intellectual property issues. Under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's directive, related agencies have been tasked with ramping up measures to prevent and suppress such infringements, thus boosting confidence in Thailand's trade and investment environment. During the first six months of the 2026 fiscal year, 332 cases of intellectual property infringement were prosecuted, significantly affecting commercial areas, warehouses, and border customs checkpoints. The economic damage during this period reflects a 78 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, highlighted the Ministry of Commerce's role as the central coordinating agency in collaboration with the National Intellectual Property Rights Commission (NIPRC) and other government bodies. The intensified efforts aim to protect the intellectual property rights of both Thai and foreign investors, a critical factor in the country's economic development. She underscored the adverse impact of intellectual property infringement on economic security and competitiveness, affecting both producers and consumers.
The integrated crackdown aligns with the government's Trade Plus policy, aiming to enhance trade standards and foster a fair business environment. This initiative underlines the commitment to intellectual property protection, a cornerstone of modern economic development, and aims to build investor confidence while protecting honest businesses. The government pledges to continue enhancing prevention and suppression measures through coordinated efforts across economic, security, and judicial sectors.
Ms. Supajee reiterated the importance of strengthening intellectual property law enforcement, fostering international cooperation, and raising consumer awareness. The goal is to elevate Thailand's intellectual property protection to international standards, promoting an innovation ecosystem that supports creators. Public cooperation is crucial, with authorities urging citizens to avoid supporting intellectual property infringement and report violations to the appropriate channels.