CENTRAL Investigation Bureau (CIB) police warned the public to beware of fake lighters as they could easily explode after seizing over 30,000 of them in raids in the upper central region, PPTVHD36 said today (Nov. 16).
Pol. Lt. Col. Phongsate Nummak, superintendent of Economic Crime Division’s Investigation Division 1, and his team along with intellectual property activists raided a retail and and a wholesale store in Nakhon Sawan province and seized total of 35,300 counterfeit TAIYO brand lighters stocked there for sale.
This followed a report by Thai Merry Co., Ltd., the copyright holder of the TAIYO trademark, that fake lighters bearing their brand had spread in the market.
Investigation showed that most of the retailers had bought these lighters from large local wholesalers. Evidence was gathered and search warrants obtained from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.
The suspects were charged with “jointly offering and possessing for sale counterfeit trademarked products.” All lighters were seized as evidence. Further investigation is underway to identify the manufacturers, distributors, and importers.
CIB warned the public that using counterfeit lighters carries a high risk as these products often do not meet Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) standards and can easily explode or catch fire, endangering life and property. Therefore, it is important to purchase from reputable retailers. Check for the TIS mark, manufacturing and expiry dates, and details of the distributor.
CAPTION:
Some of the fake lighters seize. Photo – PPTVHD36
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