Thai DPM orders crackdown on pirated goods

BANGKOK, February 16 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who oversees national security, has ordered agencies concerned to speed up the suppression of counterfeit goods and violation of the intellectual property rights. General Prawit, who is also Defence Minister, told journalists of the order on Thursday, after chairing a meeting of a sub-committee on the suppression of the intellectual property rights violation. General Prawit explained that Thailand is on the US Trade Representative Office's Priority Watch List (PWL) on pirated goods; so, he has instructed all agencies concerned, including the Royal Thai Police, the Customs Department and the Commerce Ministry, to seriously address the problem before officials of the US Trade Representative Office come to Thailand in April for investigation. The Thai deputy premier insisted that advertisements and trade on counterfeit goods on social media must also be cracked down and all pirated goods must be destroyed after they are seized by officers. (TNA)