absolutelyBangkok archive · Business & Economics
Originally published July 28, 2008
They’re a little late this time around. But they finally made it: The police raids in Bangkok on vendors with fake brand-name products — punctually again signalizing the arrival of a high foreign, mostly U.S. dignitary.
And U.S. President George
Dubya
Bush is in town early August. Time for Bangkok to clean up its piracy act. Again. But rest assured, a few days after the departure of the president all counterfeit sales will be back to normal.
It had happened before the last Apec summit in Bangkok and it happens before every major international conference that brings Western dignitaries to town: Police raids on pirated designer bags, fake Swiss watches and, unavoidably, copied DVDs.
Don’t head to Pantip Plaza during these so strangely untypical Bangkok days. Most sellers of any pirated items will advise you to come back in a few weeks. As Bangkok teems with U.S. officials preparing for the arrival of their president — Bush’s last visit to Asia before he will finally call it a day.
2Bangkok reported on a surprisingly eager Patpong raid on Friday, July 25: “Police are conducting a massive crackdown on vendors with fake brand-name products on Soi Patpong in downtown Bangkok.”
“Patpong, known for its many go-go bars,” says the report, “is one of the protected entertainment areas thought to be immune from normal standards of law enforcement. Reports indicate that vendors are angrily challenging police efforts to confiscate their goods.”
It’s a law of nature not to rely on piracy shopping in Bangkok before such auspicious events. As it’s ritually the time Thai authorities attempt to dupe their guests and pretend that the fight against intellectual copycats is alive and well.
Not that I’m supporting piracy and such. It’s just… this childish Thai approach. They seriously seem to think that they can take their guests for such fools.
Again and again.
And the approach works. Bush gives Thailand even the honor of his last trip to Asia as president of the United States of America, champion of the global fight against intellectual property abuse.
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