Lampang Rooster Bowls Face Rampant Counterfeiting Concerns

Bangkok: The Department of Intellectual Property has raised alarm over the increasing presence of counterfeit "Lampang rooster bowls" in the market. The department warns that products falsely claiming to originate from Lampang, yet failing to meet the region's registered standards, may be considered illegal. According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Oramon Sapthaveetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, emphasized the legal protections surrounding the sale of Lampang chicken bowls. These bowls have held Geographical Indication (GI) status since 2011, a designation that underscores their quality and ties to the Lampang province's unique production methods. The GI status mandates that these earthenware bowls must be produced using specific local materials and traditional methods in Lampang. Lampang chicken bowls are crafted from Lampang kaolin, black clay, feldspar, and silica sand, and are hand-painted with traditional designs before being glazed and fired at high temperatures. Approxima tely 10 manufacturers currently produce around 2,600 bowls annually, each bearing the Thai GI mark after passing strict quality evaluations. Ms. Oramon further explained that the Geographical Indications Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) aims to prevent consumer deception concerning product origins. Violations involving the misuse of the "Lampang Chicken Bowl" name for non-compliant products could result in fines up to 200,000 baht. Unauthorized use of the "Thai GI Symbol" could lead to harsher penalties under the Trademark Act B.E. 2534 (1991), including imprisonment and fines reaching 400,000 baht. However, items resembling Lampang chicken bowls but lacking the GI name or symbol may not infringe upon the Geographical Indications Act. The law protects the product's name and origin statement rather than its general appearance. The Department encourages consumers to verify product names and GI symbols before purchasing and report any suspected violations to the provincial commerce offices or the Department of Intellectual Property hotline. Additionally, the department is working to support ceramic entrepreneurs in joining the GI system and is collaborating with Lampang authorities to optimize GI registration and market expansion strategies for Lampang chicken bowls.