Asian-News.net is your go-to online destination for comprehensive coverage of major news across Asia. From politics and business to culture and technology, we bring you the latest updates, deep analyses, and critical insights from every corner of the continent. Featuring exclusive interviews, high-quality photos, and engaging videos, we keep you informed on the breaking news and significant events shaping Asia. Stay connected with us to get a 24/7 update on the most important stories and trends. Our daily updates ensure that you never miss a beat on the happenings in Asia's diverse nations. Whether it's a political shift in China, economic development in India, technological advancements in Japan, or cultural events in Southeast Asia, Asian-News.net has it covered. Dive into the world of Asian news with us and stay ahead in understanding this dynamic and vibrant region.

Contacts

  • Owner: SNOWLAND s.r.o.
  • Registration certificate 06691200
  • 16200, Na okraji 381/41, Veleslavín, 162 00 Praha 6
  • Czech Republic

Thailand seeks to ban ‘low-quality’ China-made elephant-print trousers in bid to protect its copyright

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the thin cotton pants had been copyrighted in Thailand and the intellectual property department would assess the extent of the imitation products flooding the local market.

The elephant pants are not often worn by Thais, and the wild motifs on them resemble the designs of stitches that can be found in apparel made by hill tribe villagers. But the elephant motifs that intersect the tribal patterns mark the trousers with a distinguished Thai identity.

Elephants are the official national animal of Thailand and are deeply rooted in its culture and literature.

The trousers, mostly manufactured in the northern city of Chiang Mai, are sold for as little as 150 baht (US$4.20) each while the wholesale price of the Chinese version is about 30 baht.

Phumtham suggested local companies could affix “Made in Thailand” tags on their products after reports said clothing stores in Bangkok were mostly selling copycat trousers.

A vendor in the capital’s Bobae market told the Bangkok Post that the Chinese variety had been favoured by visitors for more than a year now as it was much cheaper and urged the government to impose an import tax to help domestic brands.

03:03

Thai fashion influencers reclaim ‘elephant pants’ popular with backpacking tourists

Nattawat Phutthasiriwat, chief of the Thai SME Confederation, said that only 30 per cent of the garments sold in Bangkok’s shopping hubs were produced in the country, while the rest were imported mainly from China to offset higher production costs.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin described the influx of the low-cost apparel as an “opportunistic trade practice”, which local firms need to learn from their Chinese counterparts to stay ahead of the game.

“This

Read more on scmp.com