The Commerce Ministry has destroyed more than 400,000 counterfeit goods worth about 173 million baht, seized in raids to protect intellectual property rights.
Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai yesterday oversaw the destruction of 404,985 fake items that included clothes, bags, belts, shoes, wristwatches, mobile phones, CDs/VCDs, eyeglasses, cosmetics, car parts and food products.
They were destroyed at the base of the 7th Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion.
"The government regards the protection of intellectual property as very important," Mr Sinit said.
He said the government's efforts to crack down on intellectual piracy was paying off as Thailand was not included on the list of countries in the US's 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.
This accomplishment was the result of joint efforts between the ministry's Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) and relevant agencies.
They included the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), Royal Thai Police (RTP), Ministries of Defence, Interior and Digital Economy and Society, Customs Department and Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
"Publicly destroying counterfeit products is a key mechanism in showing transparency in dealing with the matter in accordance with World Trade Organisation and environmental standards, which can boost confidence among investors and property owners," Mr Sinit said.
"These counterfeit products not only hurt the economy of the country but are also often substandard and can be harmful to people's health," he added.
The RTP seized 93,945 items, the Customs Department 124,561 items and the DSI confiscated 186,479 items.