The Department of Special Investigation has arrested the operator of online stores selling knock-off brand products and seized illegal goods worth more than three million baht.
DSI director general Tarit Pengdit held a press briefing on Wednesday, announcing the arrest of Akkarom Setwitchakul who operated online stores selling counterfeit luxury goods.
The DSI also raided a house in Bangkok's Tungkru district and seized more than 500 fake Patek Philippe, Omega, Tag Heuer and Rolex wristwatches worth more 2.5 million baht.
The team then searched another house in Bangkok's Bangkhen district and seized over 360 item of apparel and accessories labeled Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and Hermes with a total value of over one million baht.
Mr Tarit said these sites had been operating since 2008, had more than three million visitors and generated monthly revenues of 800,000 to one million baht.
The law enforcement authorities are under pressure to crack down on counterfeit brand name products.
For the past five years, Thailand has been on the United States Trade Representative’s Priority Watch List, along with other countries prone to violation of international intellectual property laws. Countries on the list are ineligible for the US trade privileges.
Photos by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn