DSI busts online piracy ring

The Department of Special Investigation has arrested the operator of online stores selling knock-off brand products and seized illegal goods worth more than three million baht.

DSI director general Tarit Pengdit held a press briefing on Wednesday, announcing the arrest of Akkarom Setwitchakul who operated online stores selling counterfeit luxury goods. 

The DSI also raided a house in Bangkok's Tungkru district and seized more than 500 fake Patek Philippe, Omega, Tag Heuer and Rolex wristwatches worth more 2.5 million baht.

The team then searched another house in Bangkok's Bangkhen district and seized over 360 item of apparel and accessories labeled Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and Hermes with a total value of over one million baht.

Mr Tarit said these sites had been operating since 2008, had more than three million visitors and generated monthly revenues of 800,000 to one million baht.

The law enforcement authorities are under pressure to crack down on counterfeit brand name products.

For the past five years, Thailand has been on the United States Trade Representative’s Priority Watch List, along with other countries prone to violation of international intellectual property laws. Countries on the list are ineligible for the US trade privileges.

Photos by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 17/10/2012 at 08:37 PM
I didn't know it was illegal to sell knock-off brand products in Thailand. They're everywhere!
Discussion 2 : 17/10/2012 at 07:34 PM
A drop in the ocean would be the understatement of the year! Try raiding every Central if you want to go after the fake games & DVDs. Actually please don't! The world knows that Asia is the hub of fakes and headlines like this merely point out the hypocrisy of it all. This is just another tail of the right people not being paid off.
Discussion 3 : 17/10/2012 at 07:04 PM
You don't need to go to MBK. Just go to any shopping center if you want fake goods. The country is full to the top with fakes and they are not trying to hide them. Most shops will tell you straight away they are fake if you ask them the question. It is a part of Thainess.... LOL
Discussion 4 : 17/10/2012 at 06:36 PM
It's a joke !!! Tarit go to MBK ground floor !! have a look what you find ???? from iPhone application.
Discussion 5 : 17/10/2012 at 05:12 PM
'Mr Tarit said these sites had been operating since 2008...' And it's taken until 2012 to close them down. Why?

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