Counterfeits include police bribery fee

News > Investigative Report

The knock-on effect for Bangkok's knock-offs

One long-time vendor of counterfeit goods reveals that times have become hard since Lady Gaga's infamous 'Rolex Tweet' last year _ which inspired a short-lived crackdown _ but that continued encouragement of the counterfeit industry by officials who profit from it means that everything is still for sale

Published: 20 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

Last week, a man came to tell Jasmine, a vendor in the Nana area, that the Department of Special Investigation would be conducting a raid. He took the unusual step of telling her not only to temporarily close down, but to move all of her counterfeit goods back home for two days.

TIMES ARE TOUGH: Shopping for counterfeit watches at the Patpong night market.

While it was another setback in a series dating back to Lady Gaga's visit to Bangkok eight months ago _ when Jasmine was caught in a DSI raid following the furore caused by a message by the singer on Twitter _ this time it was a necessary safety measure. Jasmine said she had recently paid a 400,000 baht bribe to a high-ranking police official in order to receive such early warnings.

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pquinlan
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Discussion 33 : 29 Jan 2013 at 08.3433
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D2: Agreed, and it would also be interesting to know what tax she paid. Any guesses?
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dao
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Discussion 32 : 21 Jan 2013 at 23.3232
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Dont forget its ILLEGAL and bribes are as well .Of course everyone just carries on not wanting to make a problem .
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BRRMBOB
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Discussion 31 : 20 Jan 2013 at 14.2731
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I wonder if Jasmine is paying taxes on all of that income?
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christianl
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Discussion 30 : 20 Jan 2013 at 14.2330
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#14

There would be "mass unemplyment"...? Sure, there are a lot of criminals "employed" (idiotic choice of word BTW) in the illegal fake goods industry, but it's not like it's on par with the car or tourism industry. Thailand is actually in need of more workers, unemployment here is almost non-existent. Besides, criminal employment can hardly be worth preserving. Whats next, worrying about drug dealers losing their "employment"?
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yugobrian
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Discussion 29 : 20 Jan 2013 at 14.0929
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Personally, I am not that concerned about vendors on the streets of Thailand selling knock-off goods. Having a much bigger impact are the corrupt bankers and investment folks in New York and London. Now those people really know how to screw up the economy.
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oldexp
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Discussion 28 : 20 Jan 2013 at 14.0828
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aside the real topic of corruption aso.
the big whining of the big brands is ridiculous and hypocrite.
They know very well that buyers of fakes don't have the money to buy the real - expensively advertised - thing.
They also know that these fakes give an enormous publicity to their real overpriced products.
LV bags all over the street - what better and cheaper publicity can there be?
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Bangon
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Discussion 27 : 20 Jan 2013 at 13.5227
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When Pol Gen Chiroj actually said what he is quoted to have answered, this could be considered as an official reaction of the Police. And it would be an appaling declaration! Carve it in the rock, and take anyone speaking about honesty, law, order, democracy here, to see the rock and read the quote! Alas, alas, alas, sweet Thailand, this is what your true face has become, disfigured by corruption, and greed! When a country would have a Kharma, there would be some really ugly days ahead of you!
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rebel4ever
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Discussion 26 : 20 Jan 2013 at 13.4126
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If buying fake products would be banned, then the Tourist industry would collapse. My friends are coming every year to one of those beautiful Thai holiday resorts and then come to Bangkok. But, they told me that their main reason to return every year was merely based on cheap shopping, particularly fake products for birthdays, friends, etc.
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rebel4ever
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Discussion 25 : 20 Jan 2013 at 13.3525
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To defend Copy Right means the Right to Copy...am I right?
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geoffo
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Discussion 24 : 20 Jan 2013 at 13.2724
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Good article. I like the style of Jasmine. Seems to be a clever cookie. The centre of power of Thailand-women business owners
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Counterfeits include police bribery fee | Bangkok Post: news

The knock-on effect for Bangkok's knock-offs

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