The Department of Special Investigation has insisted it does have the authority to raid shops in Rong Kluea border market in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district without prior consultation with local authorities.
A DSI spokesman also said Rong Kluea market is a major hub for the distribution of counterfeit goods.
A power struggle issue arose after DSI officials seized fake brand-name goods from a storeroom in the market and were attacked by mostly Cambodian traders on Wednesday morning, causing injuries to 12 officials - eight from the DSI and four local policemen.
A six-wheel truck and a utility vehicle belonging to the DSI were damaged. The vehicle was turned on its side and its windows smashed during the violence.
- See update: 'Prominent figures' behind raid
After the incident, Maj Gen Suriya Parawee, commander of the 19th Military Circle which oversees security operations in the area, said the DSI should have told local authorities in advance about their plan to seize the goods. The situation had spiralled out of control partly because the officials, who wore plain clothes, were seen carrying guns.
Justice Ministry Gen Paiboon Koomchaya confirmed on Thursday that the DSI had authority to make the raid without asking local authorities for cooperation in advance. He said the DSI had already obtained court search warrants.
However, the DSI chief was instructed to work with local authorities in solving immediate problems regarding the trading of counterfeit goods at Rong Kluea market, which was a red-spot for fake goods that been ignored for a long time.
“The clash between different agencies is a minor issue and there is no need to exercise authority under Section 44 of the interim charter to deal with the matter. The governing of migrant workers at Rong Kluea market can be achieved through strict enforcement of existing laws,” he said.
The DSI spokesman said on Thursday morning that under Section 21/1 of the Special Case Investigation Act, DSI officials can seek support from other government agencies if necessary. But the 50 DSI officials on the raid were deemed able to handle the operation without the need for support from other authorities.
The DSI said it had received a requested from the French embassy in September 2015 to look into the violation of intellectual property rights in respect to counterfeit brand-name perfumes. The department’s investigation revealed that large business rings operated the racket through Rong Kluea market.
The department obtained warrants from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court on Tuesday to search three locations at the market.
About 50 DSI officials, accompanied by representatives from damaged companies, began searches of the three premises about 10am Tuesday after identifying themselves to the owners. About 20,000 bottles of fake perfumes were found and the owners arrested.
Then the violence had built up. A large number of migrant workers surrounded the officials who were loading the counterfeit products onto the six-wheel truck. The incident ended only when local policemen and soldiers rescued the DSI officials.