US puts Thai markets on piracy list

The US Trade Representative said eight new markets in Thailand would be added to its list of markets rife with counterfeit goods. The Bangkok Post reported Friday Chatuchak, MBK Shopping Centre, Siam Square, Klong Thom, Sukhumvit Road and Patpong Market in Bangkok, Karon Beach and Patong in Phuket, ITCity in Pattaya and the Rong Kluea and Friendship markets are now on a watch list of shopping areas where it is expected law enforcement agencies will be on the lookout for counterfeit goods. The new trade office report does not identify areas where legal actions have been taken against intellectual property piracy. It is meant as a warning by designating areas of concern. Records show Thailand's Intellectual Property Department from January through September pursued 8,416 intellectual piracy cases and seized 6.2 million items. Deputy Commerce Minister Nattawut Saikuar, who manages the department's piracy enforcement, said he did not know why the United States added the eight markets to the watch list at this time. He said Thailand's new camera law, making it illegal to bring taping equipment into a movie theater, is working its way through the government. The law is under review by the Officer of Prosecution and will go to the cabinet for a review after that. The cabinet is then expected to send the bill to Parliament for approval, the newspaper said.