PHUKET -- Patong authorities seized 4 million baht in counterfeit goods after a tip-off from US Embassy.
Local police and officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division office based in Patong raided 12 shops and stalls in total late Oct 18, with the first foray starting at 6pm, according to the Phuket News.
Joining the police were officials from the Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Commerce.
Together, they seized more than 2,000 counterfeit items, including sunglasses, luggage, purses, clothing and shoes.
"Most of the stores raided were on the beach road, on Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and along Soi Bangla," said Pol Lt Col Prateep Choosri, who led the raid.
"Last week, the US Embassy in Thailand received a written complaint from a business owner who is authorised to sell copyright brand-name products. The complaint identified shops and stalls in Patong that were allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit goods in tourist areas," he added.
However, not a single arrest was made.
"Everyone had fled by the time we arrived to raid the stores," Pol Lt Col Prateep said.
Inside the stores and adjoining storage units, however, officers found stockpiles of counterfeit goods squirrelled away at the back of the stores and some stock stowed in hiding places.
Police are now investigating to locate the shop owners so they can be charged with selling counterfeit goods, Pol Lt Col Prateep said.
If found guilty, perpetrators face up to four years in prison or a fine of up to 400,000 baht, or both.