US names more 'red zone' markets in Thailand

Published: 21 Dec 2012 at 17.19
Online news: News

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has declared eight more markets in Thailand as "red zones" selling fake brand products.

New additions in its Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets issued on Dec 13 are: Chatuchak, MBK Shopping Centre, Siam Square, Klong Thom, Sukhumvit Road and Patpong Market in Bangkok, Karon Beach and Patong in Phuket, ITCity in Pattaya, and the Rong Kluea and Friendship markets at the Aranyaprathet border crossing with Cambodia.

The report said Thai authorities have designated Panthip Plaza, Klong Thom, Saphan Lek and Baan Mor shopping areas as targets for enforcement of laws against product piracy and counterfeiting.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

asiaUK
Post : 3
Send message

Discussion 19 : 22 Dec 2012 at 22.4119
Post this to my Facebook
No, what I have been saying is that IF they paid workers fair wages instead of slave wages.
In a ideal world all factorys would be up to 1st world standards with humane working conditions and workers unions to insure the workers rights. But capitalisms sole aim is to generate profit for the company or it's shareholders. Show me a brand where they don't employ slaves in sweatshops? Apple, D&G, Ralph Lauren pretty much all of them use cheap slave labor employed in inhumane conditions. I'm sure you have no problem buying your iphone for $800+ when they make less than $150 a month doing 18hr shifts standing up with no breaks. Hypocrite much?
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
whatajoke
Post : 1,748
Send message

Discussion 18 : 22 Dec 2012 at 10.1118
Post this to my Facebook
Thailand pays lip service to selling counterfeit goods, it's not that difficult to police, since all tourists concentrate in a few areas. Thailand also doesn't understand why the US takes IP rights so seriously. And I don't understand why people pay huge amounts of money for brands, for example Crocs are just moulded plastic, 90% of the ridiculous price tag is paying for the name, which is just marketing, no R&D, no quality components, no sublime design. Some things deserve to be counterfeited.
Like dislike 9 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
brilliant
Post : 1,446
Send message

Discussion 17 : 22 Dec 2012 at 05.4617
Post this to my Facebook
ploydonut - when Thais are copying products of US companies, then they have every right to be in Thailand's business. The US is not the only country that has raised issues with Thai copyright infringement.

asiaUK - so basically you're saying that as long as it's cheap, then you don't care under what conditions it's made under. Wow.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
asiaUK
Post : 3
Send message

Discussion 16 : 22 Dec 2012 at 02.0416
Post this to my Facebook
Yes I do understand the fake product would be made in a factory with the same conditions, but the money mostly goes to the workers who can get $20 dollars for making it rather then $2 a day they get working for Ralph Lauren sweatshops (basically as a slave).
Infact I have been to many places in Asia where a company has a factory and the workers take the design's, moulds or source the same fabric and open a copy factory down the street making the exact same product, which they work in doing extra shifts.
Really all the top branded products are overpriced. I can afford to buy them but I refuse to give money to unethical companies.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
brilliant
Post : 1,446
Send message

Discussion 15 : 22 Dec 2012 at 00.2715
Post this to my Facebook
asiaUK - " If I want a Ralph Lauren jacket made in Bangladesh for $500, I would rather buy the fake for $40 dollars as I refuse to supporty unethical companies."

I don't disagree with you as there are many brands I will not buy also, but if you think the $500 jacket possibly was made in inhumane conditions, I almost guarantee you that the $40 dollar jacket was.
Like dislike 11 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
ploydonut
Post : 309
Send message

Discussion 14 : 22 Dec 2012 at 00.1014
Post this to my Facebook
USA have no right to declare anything red zone. If they have problem with fake thing, they should advise USA citizens not to buy the thing but leave Thai people to do their own business. We are not part of USA.
Like dislike 15 people liked / 15 people disliked this comment
joe_blow
Post : 110
Send message

Discussion 13 : 22 Dec 2012 at 00.1013
Post this to my Facebook
Fake is fake, and real is real, and never the twain shall meet.
People make an informed decision to purchase either product line.
There is no comparison and no loss of market share to either group of manufacturers.
The people that buy fakes cannot afford the real item and Gucci or Coach lose nothing because this person would never be their customer anyway.
Forget about it, Big Government needs to move on to something more improtant and let us "poor people" enjoy what little things we have in life, it keeps us happy and distracted from starting a real revolution.
Like dislike 12 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
asiaUK
Post : 3
Send message

Discussion 12 : 21 Dec 2012 at 23.2812
Post this to my Facebook
These companies exploit 3rd world workers to make their products giving them vast profits, whilst not insuring humane working conditions and fair wages. It has also been documented that they use child labor, when they are comfronted with these facts they pass the blame to their outsourced sub contracter's without taking any responsibility for their corporations actions.
Some of these compaines practise a form of modern day slavery for their own financial benefit. If I want a Ralph Lauren jacket made in Bangladesh for $500, I would rather buy the fake for $40 dollars as I refuse to supporty unethical companies.
Like dislike 20 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
apachepat
Post : 88
Send message

Discussion 11 : 21 Dec 2012 at 23.2011
Post this to my Facebook
I like RED zones
Like dislike 12 people liked / 10 people disliked this comment
bonzo
Post : 919
Send message

Discussion 10 : 21 Dec 2012 at 22.3810
Post this to my Facebook
So glad this is the biggest global issue facing the US right now.
Like dislike 17 people liked / 9 people disliked this comment