Ekniti-Suphajee lead crackdown on IP violations, Push Thailand to global trade

Today (April 27, 2026) at 2:00 PM at Building 1, Customs Department, the press conference was held by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce. Mr. Ekniti, who laid out the results of the crackdown on intellectual property infringement during the first six months of the 2026 fiscal year, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for assigning him to present the government's work in preventing intellectual property infringement during the 2026 fiscal year. He stated that the government's intellectual property protection policy prioritizes strengthening the country's economic stability and credibility in order to meet international standards, particularly Thailand's entry into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), while also protecting consumers' access to quality goods and promoting continuous research, development, and innovation.

Mr. Ekniti further said that in today's world, global economic growth is driven not just by costs, labor, and resources, but also by capabilities and innovation. A country's ability to secure these assets has the potential to grow economic supply chains, including advanced industries and technologies. Intellectual property governance is essential for shaping the future economic system. Furthermore, the government intends to develop future industries through innovation and creativity to create value for goods and services, a critical standard for increasing the country's competitiveness, through close collaboration between the Ministries of Finance and Commerce. Various agencies have confiscated assets in 332 incidents of intellectual property violation, resulting in losses of at least 2.3 billion baht. The government is prioritizing this issue and will not allow Thailand to become a hub for counterfeit products' production, distribution, and transit. Thailand aims to become a leading destination for international commerce and investment, including the ongoing implementation of proactive measures to establish a transparent and fair economy.

Ms. Suphajee expressed her fulfillment and dedication to disclosing the outcomes of the crackdown on intellectual property violation. The Ministry of Commerce has created a proactive and comprehensive screening process for both Thai and foreign investors in Thailand who violate intellectual property rights. She highlighted that the government is not complacent and would safeguard and prosecute intellectual property infringement. This operation is critical in increasing investor confidence. This includes systematically improving intellectual property infringement prevention and suppression, as well as integrating proactive cooperation with all economic, security, and judicial institutions to identify the core causes of damage to the country's economic structure. The Ministry of Commerce is working with the Ministries of Finance and Justice on this project. The Royal Thai Police caught 332 cases of intellectual property violation in commercial areas and online, up 78% from the previous period, demonstrating increased proactive collaboration among various groups.

Finally, Ms. Suphajee stated that the government will focus on strengthening the enforcement of intellectual property laws by combining the efforts of the public, private sector, and owners in a serious crackdown on infringers, while also implementing proactive prevention measures and raising public awareness. Furthermore, the government will create national cooperation structures and reform legislation to reflect national progress.

Photo : Weeraphat Ratsameerueangrong