Two million pieces of counterfeit goods worth 1.4 billion baht have been destroyed in a ceremony presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Of the 2.1 million fake products, 187,000 were seized by the Royal Thai Police, 1.7 million by the Customs Department and 181,000 by the Department Special Investigation.
The products, ranging from clothes, bags, belts, shoes, watches, mobile phones, CDs, VCDs, glasses, cosmetics, hats, blankets and equipment, were destroyed in the highly publicised event at an anti-aircraft artillery unit in Bangkok on Monday.
Gen Prawit said the event on Monday was the second after the one held last year. They are part of Thailand’s efforts that helped remove the country from the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s Priority Watch List.
Thailand was upgraded to the USTR Watch List from Prior Watch List in December last year. It remained on the Watch List this year.
“Today we destroyed 2 million pieces, more than last year, thanks to cooperation from all related parties. We will continue to seize counterfeit products and hope the cooperation would continue,” Gen Prawit said.
The deputy prime minister said markets at Thailand’s borders were no exception and authorities would do their best to tackle them.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon smashes counterfeit products at a ceremoney held in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo by Weerawong Wongpreedee)
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongwsuwon smiles as he walks past a table piled with fake luxury watches. (Photo by Wassana Nanuam)
Video by Wassana Nanuam