US Keeps Thailand on IP Watch List

The United States has kept Thailand on its trade watch list for another year, urging stronger enforcement against intellectual property violations, particularly online piracy and smaller-scale offenders. The decision was announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative in its annual Special 301 report released in Washington, DC. The move signals continued scrutiny of Thailand’s intellectual property regime and its enforcement effectiveness.

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Thailand has now remained on the watch list for 10 consecutive years, after previously being on the priority watch list from 2007 to 2017. The US acknowledged progress on draft amendments to Thailand’s Patent Act and Copyright Act, aimed at enabling accession to the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the World Intellectual Property Organization Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Authorities were also credited for increased seizures, shutdowns of piracy services, and enforcement actions by police, customs and the Department of Intellectual Property.

One notable development highlighted was the termination of rental agreements for tenants arrested for intellectual property violations at MBK Center in Bangkok, previously listed among notorious markets. However, the report noted that counterfeit and pirated goods remain widely available online, despite action against warehouses and distribution centres. It also stated that enforcement in tourist areas has only temporarily reduced the visibility of counterfeit goods.

The US called on Thai authorities to focus more on small operators, rather than concentrating mainly on large-scale distributors and manufacturers. Rights holders reported insufficient deterrence against online piracy, particularly involving devices and applications that enable unauthorised streaming and downloading. The report added that legal proceedings are often lengthy, and penalties insufficient to prevent repeat offences.

According to the Department of Intellectual Property, between October 2025 and March 2026, authorities handled 332 intellectual property infringement cases across physical and online platforms. More than 1.3 million counterfeit items were seized, with estimated economic damage exceeding 2.3 billion baht. The US also urged Thailand to amend copyright laws to better address illegal recording in cinemas and limit exceptions that allow circumvention of digital protections.

The Bangkokpost reported that Oramon Sapthaweetham, director general of the Department of Intellectual Property, said the government is prioritising efforts to address US concerns, with removal from the watch list remaining a key objective. She added that progress will be continuously communicated to the US, alongside implementation of a joint work plan with the US Trade Representative. The report also identified Vietnam as a Priority Foreign Country for serious intellectual property violations, while noting changes in status for several other economies.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 3 May 2026