Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division raided and seized over a thousand counterfeit baby bottles and nipples of a well-known brand hidden in a shipping company in Khlong Sam Wa, awaiting online sale, raising concerns over risks to young children.
On 6 Oct, Pol. Lt. Gen. Natsak Chaowanachai, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, ordered Pol. Maj. Gen. Tatsapoom Charuprat, Commander of the ECD, Pol. Col. Phuwadej Julkasavee, Chief of Division 1, and Pol. Lt. Pongchet Nummak, Inspector of Division 1, to lead officers from ECD Division 1, together with officials from the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, and authorized representatives from Pigeon Corporation, with a search warrant from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, to inspect a storage room at a shipping company in Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok.
During the search, Miss Pitchayapak (surname withheld) identified herself as the site caretaker and guided the inspection. Inside the storage room, officers found 400 counterfeit Pigeon baby bottles and 750 counterfeit Pigeon baby nipples, totaling 1,150 items. All were seized to prosecute for "importing goods bearing counterfeit trademarks" under the Trademark Act B.E. 2534 (1991).
This operation followed complaints from representatives of the Pigeon brand that investors had secretly imported counterfeit baby bottles and nipples bearing their trademark from abroad, storing them in the shipping company’s warehouse to await online customer orders. Authorities conducted investigations and gathered evidence before obtaining a court warrant to conduct the raid and arrest.
In questioning, Miss Pitchayapak claimed the site is a shipping and cargo handling company, with her younger brother, Mr. Phanupong (surname withheld), as a company director. She said she was only contacted to assist in opening the storage room for the officers’ inspection. Police documented the seizure as evidence and plan to summon the company director and others involved for detailed questioning to proceed with legal action.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Natsak warned parents and guardians that baby bottles and nipples come into direct contact with infants, and counterfeit products use low-quality materials lacking certification. When exposed to heat from boiling, steaming, or milk preparation, harmful chemicals may leach into the milk, posing serious health risks to infants. He advised caution when buying online, especially products offered at unusually low prices, recommending purchases only from trusted authorized dealers or official stores.