On 28 January 2026, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) organized “DSI Connect 2026”, which is one of its most significant annual events. With 1,024 representatives from 181 organizations, the event is designed to enhance coordinated efforts among government authorities, and private‑sector partners in the fight against an increasingly sophisticated criminal activity.

The event was presided over by the Minister of Justice, Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphol Naowarat, and supported by the DSI’s executive leadership, including DSI Director‑General Police Major Yutthana Praedam. Also in attendance were Deputy Director‑Generals Police Captain Wisanu Chimtrakool, Police Lieutenant Colonel Anurak Rojanunirunkit, Police Major Jatupol Bongkochmas, and Police Captain Surawoot Rangsai, accompanied by senior officials across multiple agencies.

“DSI Connect 2026” served as a collaborative venue where key stakeholders shared insights, best practices, and technical expertise relating to special‑case investigations. The overarching goal: to secure a more transparent, systematic, and sustainable approach to combating modern threats that span both physical and digital domains. Various successful cases were highlighted during the session, including the iCon Group case involving allegations of defrauding the public nationwide, as well as the seizure of a large quantity of IP‑infringing goods at a notorious shopping mall in central Bangkok, among others.

The intellectual property (IP)–related complex crimes highlighted the growing challenges posed by cross‑border infringement networks, online counterfeiting, and emerging technologies that enable illicit activities. Our firm, DS&B, was invited to share our insights in the strategic workshop with other IP owners’ representatives, the Department of Intellectual Property, and the Customs Department as part of the private‑sector delegation. The session emphasized evolving information‑sharing mechanisms, improved data‑exchange protocols, and the importance of coordinated enforcement among authorities and rights holders. A key theme was the development of a cooperation model that integrates legal expertise, investigative powers, and real‑time data to enhance the suppression of special crimes in alignment with global standards.

Established since 2002 under the Ministry of Justice, the DSI is a specialized unit with the power to prevent, suppress, and investigate complicated offenses, so called “special cases”, including organized and sophisticated crimes across various sectors such as fraud, financial and monetary offenses, customs violations, and intellectual property infringements.

With our longstanding collaboration with enforcement authorities and regulatory bodies, DS&B remains committed to ensuring that our clients’ intellectual property rights are fully safeguarded. From preventive measures to administrative and criminal enforcement, our firm provides comprehensive support tailored to the realities of Thailand’s legal and enforcement framework.

For more information on protecting and enforcing IP rights in Thailand, please contact us.