The ministry will next month ask for Cabinet’s approval to proceed with a road map to reform the intellectual property plan for the country.

Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, director-general at the Intellectual Property Department, said the department had been instructed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to cooperate with other involved agencies including the Defence Ministry, the Internal Security Operations Command, the Royal Thai Police, and the Department of Special Investigation, to take immediate action in suppressing pirated goods nationwide within four months.

Under the plan, 27 areas of Thailand known as “notorious” for violating copyright will be targeted.

Nuntawan said that after four months from now, the red zones need to be narrowed and clean from copy goods in the future.

The department has already sent letters to owners of buildings or areas defined as red zones to not allow sale of pirated goods in their premises. These are Chatuchak Market, MBK, and State Railway of Thailand.

The 27 notorious markets are: Karon and Patong beaches in Phuket; Pattaya in Chon Buri province; Rong Kluea Market in Sa Kaew; Pantip Plaza, Klong Thom, Baan Mo, MBK, Sukhumvit Road, Patpong Market, and Chatuchak or JJ Market, IT City, Computer Plaza Department Store, The Icon Mall, Rinkhum Market in Bangkok; Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai; Hua Hin Market in Prachuap Khiri Khan; Koh Samui in Surat Thani; Ao Nang in Krabi; Santisook Market and Kimyong Market in Songkhla.”If the Thai government could achieve the roadmap, the country’s image should improve among foreign investors and that would draw more investment to the country in the long run,” Nuntawan said, adding that the government will continue to amend the laws in suppress infringement and punish unscrupulous traders.

Moreover, on August 25, the department will ask for the cabinet’s approval in proceeding with a roadmap to reform the intellectual property plan for the country. The plan will emphasise not only on suppressing intellectual violation, but also increase awareness on intellectual right, stringently enforce laws, support the commercialisation from intellectual property products, and promote Geographical Indication products.