Protecting IP Rights of Muay Thai in Thailand

The Department of Intellectual Property, under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, is making swift strides to protect and promote the nation’s soft power elements, beginning with intellectual property (IP) rights related to Muay Thai and its associated products. This move is a direct response to calls made by Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to curb violation of the nation’s IP rights.

Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, the director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, recently proposed this initiative to the sports subcommittee headed by Pimol Srivikorn, an advisor to the prime minister. The subcommittee operates under the National Soft Power Strategy Committee.

Previously, the department successfully utilised IP rights to generate commercial benefits, particularly in the jet ski sports sector. Thailand possesses the global rights to organise and broadcast…