Intellectual property (IP) protection and effective enforcement are fundamental to fostering innovation, attracting investment, enhancing competitiveness, and supporting sustainable economic growth. For European businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Thailand, a robust and transparent IP enforcement system is essential to safeguarding innovation, protecting legitimate commercial interests, and ensuring a level playing field.

While Thailand has made significant progress in strengthening its intellectual property framework, businesses continue to encounter practical enforcement challenges. These include the proliferation of counterfeit goods, illicit trade, online IP infringement, fragmented enforcement across multiple agencies, and inconsistent enforcement practices. Such challenges not only undermine consumer confidence and public revenue but also weaken fair competition and discourage investment. SMEs are particularly vulnerable, as they often lack the financial and technical resources to pursue complex enforcement actions across multiple jurisdictions and enforcement channels.

Addressing these challenges requires more than stronger enforcement alone. It calls for enhanced coordination among government agencies, greater transparency and accountability in public sector processes, and closer collaboration between the public and private sectors. As illicit trade continues to evolve through digital platforms, cross-border supply chains, and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, effective responses require integrated policy approaches and regional cooperation across ASEAN.

In this context, the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC), in cooperation with the Southeast Asia IP SME Helpdesk, is organising a high-level policy event entitled “Advancing Integrated Measures to Combat Illicit Trade and Enhance Public Sector Transparency through Public-Private and ASEAN Cooperation.”

The event aims to convene policymakers, enforcement authorities, anti-corruption agencies, international experts, and private sector representatives to exchange experiences on emerging illicit trade trends, discuss operational and policy challenges, and identify practical solutions to strengthen enforcement, improve inter-agency coordination, and enhance transparency in regulatory and enforcement processes. Drawing on experiences from Thailand and across ASEAN, the event will also highlight best practices that support more effective public-private cooperation, reinforce investor confidence, and create a more predictable and transparent business environment.

Event Detail:

Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Time: 9.00 – 12.00 hrs.

Venue: The Oriental Residence Bangkok

Ticket: Free of charge (pre-registration required)

Remark: The discussion will be conducted in both Thai and English, with interpretation services duly provided.