Thai customs halt import of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers

[webfact]

A directive to halt the importation of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers has been issued by the Thai Customs Department, following the registration of the pattern’s copyright, according to statements from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday.

 

The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) is presently conducting an inquiry into the ongoing imports from China, as shared by Phumtham.

 

The issue surrounding this much-loved apparel item was initially raised on a Facebook page, ‘Lui Chine’ or ‘shoot2china’, which boasts a following of 1.4 million individuals.

 

The page posted on Sunday that trousers available for purchase on Chinese online shopping platforms were far cheaper than those available locally, with prices starting as low as 30 baht per piece at wholesale rates.

 

It went on to state that some Thai merchants had begun importing items from China, with prices of shorts starting from 65 baht (US$1.82) and trousers from 75 baht (US$2).

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Apichart Jinakul

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-06

 

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[sirineou]

Good move. 

[Gsxrnz]

Wouldn't be seen dead in them.

[nikmar]

8 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

Wouldn't be seen dead in them.

 

i wouldnt want to be seen in public with them but very comfy for sleeping.

 

i do feel like the "quintessential gap year, travelling on the bank of Dad, kho san rd dwelling, roti eating backpacker"  though!!

[fondue zoo]

They are in the media more than I thought after a quick googling.

 

Infamous across Southeast Asia, so-called elephant pants made of thin baggy cotton were once synonymous with grubby backpackers in search of themselves -- and the nearest Chang beer, a popular local lager.

 

source: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2023/11/09/2003808901

[John Drake]

Might buy them instead of pyjamas. Pyjamas here are expensive.

[ikke1959]

it are only elephants.. make them with other pics, colors etc and no problem

[proton]

I'd get some if they had pics of Chairman Mao on them, suitable for cleaning the toilet 😄

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, proton said:

I'd get some if they had pics of Chairman Mao on them, suitable for cleaning the toilet 😄

Apparently 'Winnie the Pooh' T-shirts/pants are for cleaning the toilets in China ....... not sure why.

I thought Thai clothing was all made in Cambodia.

[mokwit]

China opens up its markets very willingly to perishables such as fruit so it can exert control by stopping imports (e.g Covid 19 was found in Norwegian salmon after a Norwegian medical journal linked Covid 19 with China). They could retaliate, remains to see if they will.

[spidermike007]

Is there something intrinsically proprietary about elephants in Thailand? Do Thais have the right of representation of elephants on clothing, on an exclusive basis, or is this just simply an inability to deal with highly competitive pricing? 

 

Something smells a little bit odd and fishy about this story. 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

A directive to halt the importation of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers has been issued by the Thai Customs Department, following the registration of the pattern’s copyright, according to statements from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday.

Snuff out the competition.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, John Drake said:

Might buy them instead of pyjamas. Pyjamas here are expensive.

Go commando... it's 25C here at night, who wears PJ's????

[OneMoreFarang]

Thailand enforcing copyright. It's kind of funny. 

[khunjeff]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

A directive to halt the importation of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers has been issued by the Thai Customs Department, following the registration of the pattern’s copyright

 

There are dozens or hundreds of different "patterns" used for elephant pants, did they "copyright" all of them? And who was the original "author" who is claiming this alleged copyright? The word copyright has a specific legal meaning, and a country can't just wave it around as a way of blocking legal imports that they don't like. 

[wombat]

5 hours ago, proton said:

I'd get some if they had pics of Chairman Mao on them, suitable for cleaning the toilet 😄

Goodness me...how old are you?

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Is there something intrinsically proprietary about elephants in Thailand?

Nope... 

 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Do Thais have the right of representation of elephants on clothing, on an exclusive basis,

Nope...

 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

or is this just simply an inability to deal with highly competitive pricing? 

Yes...

 

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Something smells a little bit odd and fishy about this story. 

Indeed,  many countries apply tariffs on products imported from overseas (which don't meet mutual import and trade agreements)... but, are customs really going to bothered about Elephant Pants when they're getting so much more for all the 'imported luxury cars ripped off from other countries' ??...  its easy to just make a knee-jerk sweeping announcement and then forget about it !!

 

 

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Apparently 'Winnie the Pooh' T-shirts/pants are for cleaning the toilets in China ....... not sure why.

I thought Thai clothing was all made in Cambodia.

 

With respect, no! Much of the better quality clothing is made in Thailand and is more expensive than the local mass produced Cambodian and Chinese garments. I buy Thai made sports shirts and trousers in Siem Reap imported from Thailand.  

 

 

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Chinese elephant-patterned trousers

 

What does one wear under them - trunks??

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

 

What does one wear under them - trunks??

 

The only thing to wear under elephant pants, is elephant pants !!!... 

 

 

 

[Gknrd]

Haha,  Joke of the day!