Thai IP crackdown makes headway

An excavator crushes 300 tonnes of pirated electrical tools, luxury products and other items worth 141 million baht. The event was watched by foreign envoys, celebrities and business representatives at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok in March. (Bangkok Post file photo)

The United States is preparing to consider removing Thailand from its Priority Watch List on intellectual property infringements following the government's serious crackdown on IP-related wrongdoings.

The move, unveiled after a recent meeting between Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn and US Trade Representative Rober Lighthizer, raises hope the country will be removed from the list it has been on for 11 years.

The result should be announced by year-end, said Ms Apiradi.

Thailand has been listed by the Office of the US Trade Representative since 2007 after its measures to deal with IP violations were viewed as inadequate.

But after efforts to tighten the crackdown on IP infringements, Thailand's efforts have begun to bear fruit and were "admired" by Mr Lighthizer during Friday's meeting, the minister said.

Ms Apiradi attributed the success to serious clampdowns in shopping areas known for counterfeit goods, including MBK in Bangkok and Rong Kluea Market in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district.

The government has also amended IP laws and ensured all measures are carried out in a transparent manner, moves that satisfy the US, the minister said.

Usually the US reviews countries on the IP list every April, but new consideration will be made on the "Out-of-Cycle Review", Ms Apiradi said.

US authorities will start the process by gathering comments from US agencies and the private sector on IP issues related to Thailand. This stage will take about one month.

The findings will be then be forwarded to the Office of the US Trade Representative for a final say, Ms Apiradi said.