The Subtle Side of Fake Brands

Bangkok has a reputation for being a place where tourists can stock up on their fake LVs and Guccis. Everybody knows that, and piracy is displayed openly in the street stalls in certain parts of town. Spending more time in the city than the average tourist however, I have come to notice that there is also a more subtle side to fake branded products in Bangkok’s markets.

I decided to post a snapshot of observations that have raised my curiosity while browsing through various shops and markets in Bangkok.

First a look at the obvious – street stalls at Nana Station area.

Some ”Ralph Lauren Polo”, anyone?

Movies, TV-series, and Ray-Bans for cheap…

No explanation needed.

Fake branded products are not just on the streets, but also in the malls: legit-looking shops sell fake luxury products that are openly displayed.

"Chanel" jewellery

Some very unauthentic-looking, cheap ”LV” and ”Marc by Marc Jacobs”.

Now to the more sublte side of things. In marketplaces such as Jatujak Weekend Market, Platinum Mall, and Terminal 21, you can find endless tiny shops with a varied selection of clothes and accessories. At first look, it seems like original designers and craftsmen selling their own makings – quite charming. At a closer look, however, you realize that similar or same products are actually everywhere.

Spotted this nice outfit at a little shop in Terminal 21. The owner said she makes the clothes and bags herself. 

Then I spotted the same bag at another shop under a different name.

Then, at another shop, the same top.

This is just a couple of examples, but anyone who’s shopped around in Bangkok’s markets and malls more than once or twice has probably noticed the same.

Besides spotting the exact same products at differens shops with different tags, even more common is to see various products made from the same materials, for example different dresses and shirts made from the exact same fabric.

For someone used to shopping at global high-street clothes chains, visiting Jatujak Market for the first time feels like a paradise for finding original designs for good prices and supporting the local designers. Soon one will notice however, that the pieces you thought were original are actually popping up in a lot of individual shops under different names and tags. Not so original anymore!