A shopping mall in central Bangkok has been identified in the United States Trade Representative's 2025 Notorious Markets Report for high levels of intellectual property infringement. Released on March 3, the report highlighted 37 online and 32 physical markets across 19 countries, with the Bangkok mall being the only location in Thailand cited. This points to ongoing challenges, despite intensified efforts by Thai authorities to curb trademark and copyright violations.

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The report's findings were acknowledged by Armon Thapthawitham, director-general of Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property. She noted appreciation from stakeholders regarding enhanced enforcement by the department, the Economic Crime Suppression Division, and the Royal Thai Police. These efforts have included raids, awareness campaigns, and cooperation from mall operators who have terminated leases of tenants caught in IP violations.

Despite these actions, Armon mentioned continued infringement attempts, such as sales through temporary stalls to evade inspections. Authorities plan to ramp up measures by targeting major offenders more aggressively. Notably, Thailand’s online market scene has improved, with no local e-commerce platforms on this year's notorious list, a trend attributed to collaborative steps like the memorandum of understanding signed by major online platforms to bolster IP protection.

Future enforcement will focus on broader investigations, targeting warehouses and large-scale suppliers, with efforts covering Bangkok, tourist hotspots, border areas, and online channels. Armon emphasized Thailand's commitment to fortifying IP protection to bolster trade and investment, and expressed intent to work with US counterparts to reflect progress in future reports.

Businesses and consumers are urged to steer clear of counterfeit goods, as continued purchases not only pose risks but also harm Thailand's economic reputation, reported Khaosod.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 05 Mar 2026

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Bangkok or Thailand counterfeits can’t hold a candle to the china AAA fakes.

MBK mall gets regular 'raids' from the police, goods get confiscated, stalls closed, then the cycle starts again.

Thailand shopping hub..... but not the first time that Thailand is mentioned in counterfeit.. King Power had the same problem too a few years back

Might be MBK, but could be one of the others in Pratunam too. Who cares? Only the owners of the copyright. And what bugs me is how border patrol officers in western countries waste their time going through people's luggage at airports looking for 'counterfeit' products. Since when did our tax money begin being used to pay for our own civil servants (border/custom officials) doing the work on behalf of big multinational labels? Particularly galling since many of these companies don't pay any tax and their CEO's certainly don't!

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Businesses and consumers are urged to steer clear of counterfeit goods, as continued purchases not only pose risks but also harm Thailand's economic reputation, reported Khaosod.

Yeah, business should. The customers have no part in it. They are the ones getting fooled.

Anyone remember the good old days buying

Rolexes fot 500 baht in Pat Pong ?

The full re[port is worth browsing.

https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Releases/2026/2025%20Notorious%20Markets%20List%20(final).pdf

I love fakes.....they all come from China...they're all allowed to be imported.....tourists love fakes too:))

Yeah...

They're quick to pick up on this. 😏

Brilliant investigations and insight.😉

22 hours ago, Kinnock said:

MBK mall gets regular 'raids' from the police, goods get confiscated, stalls closed, then the cycle starts again.

The bib don't see anything, if a bribe is paid. They're most likely using the same guys, who couldn't spot prostitution in Pattaya.