THE NUMBER is up for a man selling low-price copies of iPhones, Blackberries and Nokias on Phuket. The only question is, which number? Some of the models he was selling were adapted to contain two or even three SIM cards.
And they were darn good value, too in some cases a fifth or even one tenth of the real mobile models.
Low prices proved to be the downfall of Thanapon Luetan, 31, who was arrested when police raided his Orgus Phone shop in front of Villa 3 on Chao Fa Road East, in Vichit, south of Phuket City, at 8.30am today.
Someone at a genuine store selling genuine telephones called Nokia and asked about the pamphlets that Khun Thanapon had been distributing, promoting his extraordinary low prices.
He had been selling ''for quite some time,'' police said today when Khun Thanapon was presented to the media at Phuket City police station.
Care for an iPhone? Khun Thanapon's version came for 2300 baht compared to 23,000 baht, and with a one-year warranty.
In many cases, the mobiles had been adapted to do more tricks - to show tv and to generally appeal more to some Thai buyers.
Legitimate stores always declined to repair the fakes, police said, so Khun Thanapon's store was the only place to go. Police also confiscated a list of customers. It is not known where earlier buyers will go now.
Khun Thanapon, originally from Ranong, said that the bodies of the models were high-quality, but the batteries were not as good.
How did he buy the fake phones? Legitimately, from China, over the Internet. He will be held pending a court appearance.
And they were darn good value, too in some cases a fifth or even one tenth of the real mobile models.
Low prices proved to be the downfall of Thanapon Luetan, 31, who was arrested when police raided his Orgus Phone shop in front of Villa 3 on Chao Fa Road East, in Vichit, south of Phuket City, at 8.30am today.
Someone at a genuine store selling genuine telephones called Nokia and asked about the pamphlets that Khun Thanapon had been distributing, promoting his extraordinary low prices.
He had been selling ''for quite some time,'' police said today when Khun Thanapon was presented to the media at Phuket City police station.
Care for an iPhone? Khun Thanapon's version came for 2300 baht compared to 23,000 baht, and with a one-year warranty.
In many cases, the mobiles had been adapted to do more tricks - to show tv and to generally appeal more to some Thai buyers.
Legitimate stores always declined to repair the fakes, police said, so Khun Thanapon's store was the only place to go. Police also confiscated a list of customers. It is not known where earlier buyers will go now.
Khun Thanapon, originally from Ranong, said that the bodies of the models were high-quality, but the batteries were not as good.
How did he buy the fake phones? Legitimately, from China, over the Internet. He will be held pending a court appearance.
Hello, Hello, is this thing working ?
" How did he buy the fake phones? Legitimately, from China,"
Sorry I didn't realise buying fake goods for resale was a legitimate occupation.
"Damm another Chinese batt flattery.
Posted by alexander grahame bell on January 16, 2011 22:28