Thailand's police and Customs Department seized more than 2.3 million counterfeit items and arrested 9,795 people in 2013, according to the latest statistics from the Commerce Ministry's Intellectual Property Department.
More than 2 million fake goods —
Thailand's police and Customs Department seized more than 2.3 million counterfeit items and arrested 9,795 people in 2013, according to the latest statistics from the Commerce Ministry's Intellectual Property Department.
Richard S. Ehrlich
"OK, this is a copy, not real, but no problem," a cheerful Thai woman says, pointing to a black knit polo shirt emblazoned with a Ferrari logo in Bangkok's wholesale and retail Pratunam Market.
'Not real, but OK.' —
"OK, this is a copy, not real, but no problem," a cheerful Thai woman says, pointing to a black knit polo shirt emblazoned with a Ferrari logo in Bangkok's wholesale and retail Pratunam Market.
Richard S. Ehrlich
In an air-conditioned, multi-level mall in Bangkok, a sign deceptively advertises "Dr. Martens" next to boots resembling the real thing, but without any logos on the leather or soles.
Docs without logos —
In an air-conditioned, multi-level mall in Bangkok, a sign deceptively advertises "Dr. Martens" next to boots resembling the real thing, but without any logos on the leather or soles.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Imitation fashion accessories are displayed in the Museum of Counterfeit Goods at the Tilleke & Gibbins law firm in Bangkok.
Cheap but fake —
Imitation fashion accessories are displayed in the Museum of Counterfeit Goods at the Tilleke & Gibbins law firm in Bangkok.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Consumers are often unable to detect fake goods, such as these popular hair products, displayed in the Museum of Counterfeit Goods at the Tilleke & Gibbins law firm in Bangkok.
Hair products —
Consumers are often unable to detect fake goods, such as these popular hair products, displayed in the Museum of Counterfeit Goods at the Tilleke & Gibbins law firm in Bangkok.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Thai-made fakes includes shirts, pants, shoes and other easy-to-create fashion items, including this T-shirt. Such goods are crafted by vendors themselves or their friends and colleagues, at home or in small offices.
Creative T-shirts —
Thai-made fakes includes shirts, pants, shoes and other easy-to-create fashion items, including this T-shirt. Such goods are crafted by vendors themselves or their friends and colleagues, at home or in small offices.
Richard S. Ehrlich
This imitation Angry Birds pillow shows how some people "just change the way they use their skill for producing handicrafts, to producing counterfeit products," says intellectual property lawyer Suebsiri Taweepon.
Trendy handicrafts —
This imitation Angry Birds pillow shows how some people "just change the way they use their skill for producing handicrafts, to producing counterfeit products," says intellectual property lawyer Suebsiri Taweepon.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Much of the high-quality fake stuff for sale in Thailand is imported from counterfeit producers in China, South Korea and Taiwan. The goods are either routed overland through Laos and Cambodia to Bangkok, or shipped directly.
High-quality fakes —
Much of the high-quality fake stuff for sale in Thailand is imported from counterfeit producers in China, South Korea and Taiwan. The goods are either routed overland through Laos and Cambodia to Bangkok, or shipped directly.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Legal loopholes, the cost of investigations, fears of violence -- and the sheer quantity of fake goods -- enable counterfeiters to publicly offer their fake wares with in-your-face sales pitches in English, Chinese and other tourist-friendly languages.
Even 'Lonely Planet' —
Legal loopholes, the cost of investigations, fears of violence -- and the sheer quantity of fake goods -- enable counterfeiters to publicly offer their fake wares with in-your-face sales pitches in English, Chinese and other tourist-friendly languages.
Richard S. Ehrlich
Many of Thailand's counterfeiters aren't wealthy. They simply have enough street smarts to successfully hustle and create or order fake labels in bulk to stitch on clothing.
Homemade labels —
Many of Thailand's counterfeiters aren't wealthy. They simply have enough street smarts to successfully hustle and create or order fake labels in bulk to stitch on clothing.
Richard S. Ehrlich
These professionally manufactured, fake PGA Tour-branded clothes were made by a former licensee who continued production after the license expired, says intellectual property lawyer Suebsiri Taweepon.
By a former licensee —
These professionally manufactured, fake PGA Tour-branded clothes were made by a former licensee who continued production after the license expired, says intellectual property lawyer Suebsiri Taweepon.
Richard S. Ehrlich