Patong Vendors Arrested in Counterfeit Crackdown

[DREW]

With Bars Closing early and now this, all they need to do next is clamp down on the girls and there will be nothing left to spend your money on.

Regards

Drew

Patong vendors nabbed in counterfeit goods raid

PATONG: Kathu Police on Wednesday afternoon arrested several vendors caught selling counterfeit goods, seizing 300 items of clothing and handbags illegally bearing designer labels including Chanel, Burberry and Prada.

Kathu Police Crime Suppression Inspector Lt Col Worawat Sitthinoon led the sweep along the beach road and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd, accompanied by Pol Maj Serm Kwannimit and four officers from the Kathu Police Narcotics Suppression Division.

Pointing out the knock-off goods to the police was Phubate Mingkhwan, a representative of Selective Trademark Union (Thailand) Co Ltd, a detective firm hired by a number of international companies to ensure that their trademark rights are not violated.

After the arrests, Maj Serm identified the following suspects: Saensak Saenrak, age 29; Surachai Mingkhwan, 24; Chai Katawaan, 20; Phonphet Wongwanju; 52; Sudreuthai Chaiburireuang, 23; Dara Panerane, 29; Amporn Sriphaphan, 34; Jeeraphan Jubpieng, 29; Khamee Isayaam, 25; Pongsathorn Pattaraponjanach, 37; Manop Sukgaron, 35; Sri Khomkha, 36; and Areeya Khamaan, 43.

All have been charged with violating Section 273 of the criminal code and could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 6,000 baht, or both.

The confiscated items will be sent to the offices of the copyright owners’ representatives in Bangkok, then destroyed, Maj Serm said.

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[Hoopy Frood]

I hope they get nothing more than a slap on the hand.

[SirDougless]

Big difference between 3 years jail and a 6,000 baht fine.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by SirDougless

Big difference between 3 years jail and a 6,000 baht fine.

Not too far from the ratio in the US which range from $1000 fine / 1 year jail (i.e. Michigan) to $4000 fine / 2 year jail (i.e. Texas).
Make that $1500 / year (average) or something like 1/3 average monthly salary per year.

6000 baht fine / 3 year jail comes out to 2000 baht / year something like 1/3 to 1/4 typical working class salary.

..... not too far off.

[SirDougless]

Can't argue with your logic, but I was thinking of it more from my perspective. 3 years jail would kill me whereas 6,000 baht means 1 less foursome. The later I could bear. Just ...

[Masterwoodsman]

This is nothing new for Phuket, the authorities have been tightening up on this for about 3 years now. The vendors know its illegal but continue to sell these garbage counterfeit products.

My personal view is why buy the copy if you cant afford the original. I mean who are you trying to fool.... answer yourself when the thing falls apart when you get home...

Its about 3 years ago now when branded copy watches were sold in the stalls on the beach road, now they have had to resort to the "aladins caves" a secret door behind a picture in an art gallery for instance.

Lets face it, the shirt that shrinks after first watch, the handbag whose handle falls off in a week, the watch that doesn't keep time, the perfume that loses its smell in 5 mins, the sunglasses whose arm falls off, the DVD that stops half way through the movie etc etc..... when will people realise that these products are pointless and a complete waste of money....

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by SirDougless

Can't argue with your logic, but I was thinking of it more from my perspective. 3 years jail would kill me whereas 6,000 baht means 1 less foursome. The later I could bear. Just ...

In return I can't argue with yours (as a Westerner in Thailand).

In the US jail time is somewhat unlikely for a first time offence, I would guess that in Thailand the same would be the case for a Westerner first time offence (whatever the misdemeanor may be). In other words "we" are likely to get off easy .... or likely to accept an "excessive" get out of trouble for a "fee" card.

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

This is nothing new for Phuket, the authorities have been tightening up on this for about 3 years now. The vendors know its illegal but continue to sell these garbage counterfeit products.

My personal view is why buy the copy if you cant afford the original. I mean who are you trying to fool.... answer yourself when the thing falls apart when you get home...

Its about 3 years ago now when branded copy watches were sold in the stalls on the beach road, now they have had to resort to the "aladins caves" a secret door behind a picture in an art gallery for instance.

Lets face it, the shirt that shrinks after first watch, the handbag whose handle falls off in a week, the watch that doesn't keep time, the perfume that loses its smell in 5 mins, the sunglasses whose arm falls off, the DVD that stops half way through the movie etc etc..... when will people realise that these products are pointless and a complete waste of money....

I understand your point MWD and agreee with you, however, also consider that people buy these items not just for the copy label but because they actually just like the tee shirt or whatever. And a lot of the counterfit goods are actually not copies of anything the original company makes, just a tee shirt with their logo or label (if that makes sense). I also think that you have to sort out between the good copy and the better quality copy, then not so much shrinkage etc.

But we are a tourist town and tourists the world over like to take back a few presents at the end of their holiday and suppose recipients will always be initially pleased with their new prada handbag or whatever, even though they know its a copy.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Dodger

But we are a tourist town and tourists the world over like to take back a few presents at the end of their holiday and suppose recipients will always be initially pleased with their new prada handbag or whatever, even though they know its a copy.

I've got a fridge magnet from Blackpool! Donkey eating an ice cream IIRC.

[Hoopy Frood]

Originally Posted by Dodger

I understand your point MWD and agreee with you, however, also consider that people buy these items not just for the copy label but because they actually just like the tee shirt or whatever. And a lot of the counterfit goods are actually not copies of anything the original company makes, just a tee shirt with their logo or label (if that makes sense).

That's my excuse for some purchasing. I was out one night in Christchurch NZ, where I live, listening to a pub band & noticed the sax players shirt & decided I had to have one just like it. After all, I try to play the sax too. I own one anyway.
It was a Stussy shirt & it had a sax player on it. I looked everywhere I could think of in Chch & couldn't find it, same for internet. Came to LOS & found it in a market, now I have 2 of them. Wouldn't matter to me if it had Stussy on it or not. Who knows, the "proper sax player" may have got his in LOS too - I didn't speak to him. Next time I hope I can make my point in fewer words 5555

[Salvy747]

Originally Posted by Dodger

I understand your point MWD and agreee with you, however, also consider that people buy these items not just for the copy label but because they actually just like the tee shirt or whatever. And a lot of the counterfit goods are actually not copies of anything the original company makes, just a tee shirt with their logo or label (if that makes sense). I also think that you have to sort out between the good copy and the better quality copy, then not so much shrinkage etc.

But we are a tourist town and tourists the world over like to take back a few presents at the end of their holiday and suppose recipients will always be initially pleased with their new prada handbag or whatever, even though they know its a copy.

I got 6 knock off t-shirts in Thailand and they've lasted longer than most of the expensive crap I buy in Australia .
Must admit I wouldn't touch any of the watches , handbags etc ....

[S1MON]

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

when will people realise that these products are pointless and a complete waste of money....

Hopefully never or i will have to work forever.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

My personal view is why buy the copy if you cant afford the original.

Bingo!

Originally Posted by Dodger

And a lot of the counterfit goods are actually not copies of anything the original company makes, just a tee shirt with their logo or label (if that makes sense).

So, what is the point of the label. If the La Costa is not a copy of the real thing ... just a label (infringing in copyrights and trademarks).
Why not label is "Phuket T-Shirt Company" ... or whatever.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Why not label is "Phuket T-Shirt Company" ... or whatever.

Yeah, or no money no honey or sompn like this, just an idea

[landofsmiles]

Some of the copy stuff is very good quality.

Many manufacturers cite the counterfeiters as one of the reasons why the "genuine" article is so expensive but really a lot of the time it's these big corporations that are ripping off the consumer with their inflated end prices.

Last time I travelled through Gatwick airport I went in the Nike shop, cringed at the prices and looked at the labels. Every item was made in China/Cambodia/Malaysia/Bangladesh/Turkey/India or Indonesia.

There were Chelsea and Manchester United football shirts on sale for £39...think they were marked down from £55!!...and the label said MADE in THAILAND!

Probably costs no more than 50baht to make each shirt here. That is some mark up!

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Some of the copy stuff is very good quality.

Many manufacturers cite the counterfeiters as one of the reasons why the "genuine" article is so expensive but really a lot of the time it's these big corporations that are ripping off the consumer with their inflated end prices.!

I don't think anyone will argue against the point that the genuine article cost more in some (or large) part because of the name, however, no one is ripped off.
To purchase that brand name is a choice .... there are plenty of other options.
These companies have invested in their brand equity and to copy that is theft.
To seek out to purchase counterfeit items with any of those brand names is hypocritical.

[Nautilus]

I have seen very good quality counterfeit watches in KL sold at Chinatown, and when opened up, the material used is actually same as the one used in the Original Tag.

Also some say fake stuff are better quality from Hong Kong, some say China, i guess it's your luck.

I for one don't support people buying fake stuff, but it's your money.

[Crustasian]

What is the penalty for selling knock off copies of illegal pirate DVDs.

Should the person who made the original pirate copy be compensated.??

[Dupree00]

I don't know. You could look at it as free advertising. You got all these wankers wearing the big names that normally wouldn't buy them anyway. And when the item breaks down they ususally can't get a refund.

But intellectual property like movies, songs and literature. That's another story. A digital copy can be as good as the original.