Buyers and users of pirated products will be fined 1,000 baht per case, while commercial building owners and landlords, as well as website owners,who turn a blind eye to sales of pirated goods will face a fine of as much as 300,000 baht under a new draft law aimed at clamping down on intellectualproperty violations.
Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the ministry will soon propose the amendments to the Trademark Act and Copyright Act for cabinet consideration and approval.
Under the draft legislation, users and processors of counterfeit goods including computer software, music and movies would be subject to a fine of not more than 1,000 baht, while commercialbuilding lessors, owners and landlords would face fines ranging from 30,000 baht to 300,000 baht.
The penalty would also cover website owners operating or providing e-commerce services for pirated goods.
The draft amendments are aimed at protecting intellectual property and promoting Thailand's development as a creative economy, said Mr Alongkorn.
The effort also aims to get Thailand off the US's special watch list.
Washington in May made a decision to keep Thailand on its special watch list of nations that have failed to crack down on copyright and patent violations.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) also named China, Russia,Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, India,Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan and Venezuela as intellectual property (IP) offenders.
Countries on the "Special 301" list could face penalties, trade barriers and embargoes. So far, no action has been taken against Thailand.
The USTR identified five areas in Bangkok on a list of the world's most "notorious markets" for pirated goods: Pantip Plaza, Mahboonkrong shopping centre (MBK), Klong Thom Market, Patpong Road and upper Sukhumvit Road.
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