US lists a single Bangkok shopping mall for fake goods in notorious markets report

2026-03-05 - 06:53

BANGKOK — The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has listed one shopping centre in central Bangkok among markets with high levels of intellectual property (IP) infringement in its 2025 Notorious Markets Report, Thai officials said. Armon Thapthawitham, director-general of the Department of Intellectual Property, said the report, released on 3 March, identified 37 online markets and 32 physical markets across 19 countries. For Thailand, only one physical market — a shopping mall in central Bangkok — was named. Armon said stakeholders had expressed appreciation for the intensified enforcement efforts by the department, the Economic Crime Suppression Division and the Royal Thai Police in tackling trademark and copyright violations. She said authorities had stepped up raids and public awareness campaigns, while mall operators had cooperated by terminating leases of tenants arrested for IP offences and closing numerous shops selling counterfeit goods. However, she acknowledged continued attempts to sell infringing products through temporary stalls and other tactics aimed at evading inspection. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and plan to intensify action, including targeting major offenders. Armon said the situation in online markets showed clear improvement, with no Thai e-commerce platforms appearing on this year’s list. She attributed the positive trend to cooperation under a memorandum of understanding signed by major online platforms in Thailand to strengthen IP protection, including notice-and-takedown measures and proactive monitoring. The department will continue working with enforcement agencies including the Customs Department and the Department of Special Investigation to crack down on violations in Bangkok, tourist destinations, border trade areas and online channels, with a focus on expanding investigations to warehouses and large-scale suppliers. Thailand remains committed to strengthening IP protection to support trade, investment and investor confidence, Armon said, adding that the department would engage US counterparts to exchange information and reflect progress in future assessments. She urged businesses and consumers not to buy or support counterfeit goods, warning of potential risks to consumers and damage to the country’s economic image.