Occurring over a three-day span from July 19th- July 21st, 2017, RWT successfully conducted training at three critical customs locations where some of the highest volumes of goods are being shipped into and out of the country. These locations were The Port of Bangkok, The Port of Laem Chabang and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Each area is crucial for the transportation and delivery of products for import and export purposes.
Over the course of the three-day period, the IP Division of RWT welcomed various brand protection representatives from all over the ASEAN community to come and take part in this educational training of Customs Officials while also providing details of the unique differences between genuine products and counterfeit items. The items featured were provided from various business sectors ranging from the Automotive Industry, Luxury brands, Consumer Goods, and Sports Apparel.
In total, there were approximately 98 officials from the Thai Customs Department who attended and gained key up-to-date information for the identification and elimination of counterfeit products. This insight will guide Customs Officials in the future and help prevent further counterfeit items from entering the Kingdom of Thailand.
The beginning of the three-day event on July 19th featured Mr.Prawat Cheunchavalit, The Director of the Customs Academy, who delivered the initial opening remarks and praised the continued efforts on the attempted elimination of counterfeit products from entering the country. With specific training focusing on educating staff in these areas, continued cooperation between brands and Customs is still needed and will serve as a proactive means when dealing with this ongoing problem. Featured on the second day was Mr. Chakkrit Utensute, who is an expert on Cargo Inspection Techniques and addressed the participants on behalf of the Laem Chabang Port Customs Bureau. During his address, he approved of the continued support between International brands and the Thai Customs Department in battling this issue in a proactive manner.The Brand representatives were hosted at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the final day of the three-day training during which Mr. Mark Rowley, Director of IP at RWT International Law, focused on the continued bi-partisanship between brand protection representatives and the Suvarnabhumi Airport Customs officials as the focal point moving forward.
Consequentially, with numerous brands in attendance over the course of the training, RWT also provided the Customs Department with key contacts which will enable Customs staff in determining if goods are genuine or not by direct contact with the brand representative locally thereby increase the likelihood of a seizure through direct communication and updated information.
In closing, RWT would like to thank everyone for their participation, hard work, and cooperation in making this training a worthwhile event for all. As the year progresses, RWT will continue to provide brands with the infrastructure needed to educate key personnel in multiple areas
