Bangkok: The government has taken a decisive step by organizing investigation and arrest units to proactively combat the rise of copyrighted products, nominee businesses, and e-cigarettes, integrating various agencies for efficient operations. A secret report has revealed the involvement of officials in accepting bribes through mule accounts and networks linked to their associates, which is set to be submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, Advisor to the Prime Minister, chaired a crucial meeting aimed at explaining measures to tackle the problems associated with importing and violating copyrighted products, illegal businesses, e-cigarettes, and nominee operations. Attendees included key figures such as Mr. Somkid Chuekong and Mr. Nanthat Hongchuwet, both Deputy Secretaries-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Department of Special Investigation, Customs Department, and various police and security agencies.
Mr. Jirayu highlighted that during the 8th Cabinet meeting of 2025, Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra issued directives concerning e-cigarettes, smuggling, and the sale of copyrighted products. She emphasized the need for prevention and suppression of illegal activities such as nominee company registration, smuggling of substandard goods, illegal impersonation of Thai products, and foreign factories violating laws and bribing officials. The meeting sought updates on efforts to address these issues from fiscal year 2024 to present.
The Ministry of Commerce reported significant progress against law-violating foreign businesses, with actions taken against 861 offenders between September 2024 and May 2025, resulting in damages amounting to 15,296 million baht. The Customs Department shared statistics on goods infringing intellectual property rights, seizing over a million items in fiscal year 2024 and 74,253 items in fiscal year 2025, with damages exceeding 74 million baht across both years.
The Economic Crime Suppression Division detailed its operations from October 2023 to September 2024, revealing 686 arrests and damages worth 365,682,493 baht due to violations under the Trademark, Copyright, and Patent Acts. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Division 6 noted a shift in the sales format of copyrighted goods from storefronts to online platforms to evade arrest.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has been proactive in raising awareness about intellectual property violations, aiming to deter both sellers and buyers from engaging in illegal activities. Their efforts include various projects focused on surveillance, coordination, and resolution of intellectual property violations.
The Department of Special Investigation reported on special cases from fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with significant seizures and damages recorded. The overall aim of the meeting, as stated by Mr. Jirayu, was to establish a cohesive working framework, integrating data collection and reporting mechanisms to enhance government responsiveness and effectiveness.
Mr. Jirayu also addressed concerns about corruption, revealing ongoing secret investigations aimed at filing lawsuits against officials found to be accepting bribes, with plans to present the findings to the NACC and other relevant bodies for further action.