Director General of the Customs Department's Announcement: Closure of Counterfeit Luxury Watch Auctions; Intent to Sue Agent for Claiming Significant Damages

 

Mr. Pachara Anantasilp, Director General of the Customs Department, announced the closure of the Customs Department's counterfeit watch auction case. He admitted that this was the first time in history and it had been an expensive lesson, emphasizing that such an incident would not recur.

 

The aforementioned case stemmed from an auction held by the Customs Department from July 5-7, 2023, to sell 14 luxury watches seized from stores in well-known department stores in the Pathum Wan area, reported INN.

 

 

Subsequently, the watches underwent a process of preservation and verification by a rights agent in Thailand, who confirmed their authenticity in writing, along with copyright compliance. These watches were then stored in a secure room, monitored closely by closed-circuit cameras and relevant officials.

 

However, upon completion of the auction, it was discovered that 3 of the auctioned watches were fake, which totaled more than 4 million baht. A claim was filed with the Customs Department, which then collaborated with the rights agent in Thailand to reverify the watches.

 

At this juncture, the Thai rights representative communicated with the parent company's representative in Hong Kong. It was reported that a phone call to a customs officer had indicated the watches were counterfeit, although no written confirmation was received.

 

Consequently, the Thai rights representative retracted the statement regarding all watches being counterfeit. The Customs Department assumed responsibility for a full refund and subsequently canceled the auction.

 

Furthermore, the Customs Department established a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter, resulting in disciplinary actions against officers involved. These actions were taken due to their acknowledgment of having discussed over the phone that the watches were indeed fake, although no written documentation was maintained.

 

This communication lapse extended until after the auction had concluded. Additionally, the Customs Department initiated a civil lawsuit against the rights agent, submitting the case to the prosecutor.

 

Regarding the store owner who was apprehended and had their property seized, claiming the authenticity of the watches, the Customs Department intends to collaborate with the OCPB to initiate another case against the shopkeeper.

 

The decision regarding whether to change the company's rights representative in Thailand or not will fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Intellectual Property, and the Customs Department does not hold authority over this decision.

 

Following this auction, guidelines will be enhanced to ensure greater clarity and conciseness. A 30-day inspection period will be implemented for the examined property, during which an expert will conduct inspections. Once the auction concludes, the Customs Department will not assume any further responsibilities.

 

TOP Picture courtesy  of Siam Rath

 

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19 minutes ago, webfact said:

Following this auction, guidelines will be enhanced to ensure greater clarity and conciseness.

Clarity, what a concept. Reading the OP three times, I still not sure I am following the hoop jumps, backward hoop jumps, sideways hoop jumps while balancing on one foot. However, after all that I do feel positive no one in a position of authority was responsible for this unfortunate event, in reality, more a misunderstanding. Isn't that what it is all about?

 

 

Edited August 12, 20232 yr by Dcheech

47 minutes ago, Dcheech said:

Clarity, what a concept. Reading the OP three times, I still not sure I am following the hoop jumps, backward hoop jumps, sideways hoop jumps while balancing on one foot. However, after all that I do feel positive no one in a position of authority was responsible for this unfortunate event, in reality, more a misunderstanding. Isn't that what it is all about?

 

 

I think its called "word salad" intentionally to confuse. I actually bought a Rolex Submariner back when I was working.The dealer shop was in Siam Square. I assumed it was all above board.I sold it after 1 year as I was traveling a lot at the time and got way too many stares and looks that it made me fear I was going to get robbed/mugged.I could have got a replica for 1k. 

All original mister including the Lolex ????

 

 

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Subsequently, the watches underwent a process of preservation and verification by a rights agent in Thailand, who confirmed their authenticity in writing, along with copyright compliance. These watches were then stored in a secure room, monitored closely by closed-circuit cameras and relevant officials.

 

However, upon completion of the auction, it was discovered that 3 of the auctioned watches were fake, which totaled more than 4 million baht.

They simply cannot be trusted with anything. 

5 hours ago, jaideedave said:

.I sold it after 1 year as I was traveling a lot at the time and got way too many stares and looks that it made me fear I was going to get robbed/mugged.I could have got a replica for 1k. 

And still mugged... the robber seldom checks if it's fake before dropping you.

7 hours ago, webfact said:

the Thai rights representative communicated with the parent company's representative in Hong Kong

What Western luxury watch is made in China?

I believe none, albeit some parts might be Chinese manufactured such as a casing or minor moving parts. For example Swiss Luxory watches must have final assembly in Switzerland with 60% Swiss made parts.

So why would one (ie., Thai customs) use a Hong Kong representative for verification of authenticity? 

You seize counterfeit watches, then you check and they are real. So shouldnt you return then? I call this a theft then. They thought they were counterfeit, though?!

No customs is selling then watches and then afterwards it is fake again?!

Verifying, re verifying, amazing

They should have been destroyed if counterfeit and never been sold. That is why you seize them. And if they were real they should have gone back to stores, as they were taken as counterfeits, but werent?! There is no other reason mentioned the counterfeit.

correct me if im wrong in understanding this story.

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

And still mugged... the robber seldom checks if it's fake before dropping you.

Good point, I was in Shanghai and Bejing walking the local streets near my hotel to have a look around when I started to feel uneasy. I also had issues getting it insured. 30 years ago we used to wear the 500 baht copies around the bars all over Pattaya and never got so much as a second glance.  For that amount I probably wouldn't have put up much resistance. 

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And still mugged... the robber seldom checks if it's fake before dropping you.

I aways thought one was safe in Thailand and the Far East in a Rolex as so many fakes were about!

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And still mugged... the robber seldom checks if it's fake before dropping you.

So a luxury shop in a hi class mall in Patum Wan where the watches were seized ? later 3 of 14 were fake. Do I have it correct?

10 hours ago, kennw said:

So a luxury shop in a hi class mall in Patum Wan where the watches were seized ? later 3 of 14 were fake. Do I have it correct?

The watches were seized from a hi-class shop in a well known mall.
The shop must have been selling genuine watches as customs later had them verified by an agent who gave written guarantees that they were legit.

After the auction it became apparent that 3 of them were fake.

So 3 options:

1] the agent falsified the verification documents

2]the agent did a swap for 3 fakes

3]customs did a swap for 3 fakes.

 

On 8/12/2023 at 7:48 AM, webfact said:

the Customs Department established a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter, resulting in disciplinary actions against officers involved.

Another corrupt institution where wrong-doers escape proper punishment.  Anyone trying to import stuff is subject to blackmail before their legitimate stuff is released by these crooks.

Worse now that the public don't trust the custom department, the custom department don't trust it's own agents and business they are affiliated with, what a mess.

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