SONGKHLA: More than 2,200 counterfeit luxury watches were seized from shops at a popular market in downtown Hat Yai during a task force raid on Thursday.
The joint task force, led by officers from the Department of Provincial Administration, raided Santisuk market Yai and seized a total of 2,280 fake brand-name watches from 10 shops.
The counterfeit brand-names included Rolex, Patek Philippe, Rado, Gucci, Richard Mille and Chanel J12. The seized goods and the vendors were handed over to Hat Yai police station, Ronnarong Thipsiri, director of the DPA’s investigation and suppression unit who led the task force, told a media brieifing.
The vendors were charged with having pirated products in their possession with intent to sell, an offence liable to a jail term of up to four years and/or a fine up to 400,000 baht
Mala Tangprasert, a representative of a trademark holder, said sales of pirated brand-name watches have been rampant for more than 10 years, causing damage to trademark holders.
She thanked officers for their work in combating pirated products and trademark infringement.
If genuine, the seized watches would have a retail worth of around 700 million baht in total, according to authorities.
