Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Justice have announced the results of a series of raids and enforcement actions targeting intellectual property violations, as part of efforts to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and align the country with international standards.

The announcement was made by Ministry of Commerce Permanent Secretary Vuttikrai Leewiraphan and Justice Minister Rutthapol Naowarat at the Department of Special Investigation headquarters in Bangkok. The operations form part of intensified proactive measures to seize counterfeit goods and dismantle criminal networks, reinforcing the government’s firm stance against IP infringement.

Vuttikrai underscored the importance of IP protection to Thailand’s economic development, investor confidence and global trade positioning. He noted that the Ministry of Commerce has been working closely with the Ministry of Justice and other agencies to strengthen prevention, enforcement and investigations into broader criminal networks. These coordinated efforts have resulted in faster, more targeted operations, with a focus on tackling the sources of counterfeit goods and major offenders, while encouraging collaboration with the private sector and rights holders.

On March 12, 2026, a joint operation by the DSI and the Department of Intellectual Property led to the seizure of more than 48,000 counterfeit items in Bangkok, with estimated damages exceeding B500 million (US$15.6 million). The goods included counterfeit products from major global brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Celine, Versace, Gucci, Hermès, Loewe and Prada. Seized items consisted mainly of shoes (26,620), clothing (17,777) and bags (2,464). Authorities are pursuing legal action and expanding investigations into production sources, distribution channels and associated networks.

Enforcement efforts have intensified over the past year. In 2025, authorities recorded 1,180 IP-related cases nationwide, seizing over 3.5 million items with an estimated value of B1.17 billion (US$36.6 million). This represents a 24 percent increase in seized goods and a 64 percent rise in estimated damages compared to 2024. In the first two months of 2026 alone, 118 cases were recorded, with approximately 390,000 items seized and damages estimated at B92 million (US$2.9 million).

According to Vuttikrai, sustained inter-agency cooperation remains central to long-term IP enforcement. The government aims to protect consumers from substandard products, safeguard legitimate businesses and foster a transparent and fair trading environment. Authorities will continue to strengthen coordination both domestically and internationally, targeting major and transnational criminal networks, while also working with online platforms to curb the sale of infringing goods.

Public awareness is also a key priority. The government is encouraging businesses and consumers to respect IP rights, support legitimate products and avoid counterfeit goods to ensure long-term compliance.

IP violations remain a significant threat to economic security, affecting both producers and consumers while undermining Thailand’s competitiveness. The issue continues to draw attention from key trading partners, including the United States. While no Thai online marketplaces were listed in the 2025 Notorious Markets Report by the U.S. Trade Representative, certain physical markets in Bangkok were still identified. However, the report also acknowledged Thailand’s progress, particularly in strengthening public-private cooperation and enforcement.

Vuttikrai reaffirmed the government’s goal of elevating Thailand’s IP protection framework to international standards and positioning the country as a hub for trade and investment that values innovation, creativity and fair competition. He also expressed appreciation to all agencies and private sector partners involved and urged the public to play an active role by rejecting counterfeit goods to support sustainable economic growth.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco