Deputy Prime Minister Raids Pantip Plaza And Seizes 1 Pornographic Vcd

[Huw]

The amount of times I have visited the DVD shops of the Capital to get the latest films (not pixelated nudity I have to say!) only to find the shops closed and be informed by the vendors that thay are expecting a raid - "come back tomorrow" leaves me convinced that the channels of communication from the police to the vendors are wide open. If the minister seriously thinks that Panthip is free of porn, illegal copies of films and software rather than saturated with it he is seriously mistaken. If he also thinks that Patpong wasn't fully prepped and awaiting his arrival then he really needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

The reality is unimportant. This is Thailand. The only thing tht is important is the appearance. Otherwise the Deputy PM would not have gone along himself now would he?

Unless he wanted some porn for home of course...

[No beleeeeve!]

I used to go to Pantip quite often and got to know a number of the vendors I went to a lot. I was there once during a "surprise" raid. They do know ahead of time. Well, at least this time.

Once the officers reach the place everyone quickly hides the illegal stuff. It takes only seconds as they have it choreographed to hide the stuff among the legal goods.

When the officer(s) come by, they find nothing and after 30-60 minutes everything is back to normal. The vendors told me when to come back, they already knew how long to hide everything and when to bring it out. The "runners" or look out guys who retrieve the hidden copied stuff elsewhere in the building are the ones to watch. They know eveything that's going on.

During one of the big Asian conferences they had to hide the illegal stuff for a couple days but if you knew the vendors, they would bring you in the back and the copied stuff was there.

So, overall, it is a big dance much like many things are in BKK, you just roll with it and there's not much impact on your life. One of the things I love about BKK!

[gummy]

Another example, I am very sad to say, of how Thailand is likely to be viewed as a joke outside the Kingdom. Everyone who has ever been to Bangkok knows that Pantip is the place to go and buy counterfeit software and dodgy DVDs. So for the Deputy PM to lead a 'raid' and discover one single dodgy DVD is going to be viewed as laughable.

Thailand needs to get serious about combating this problem or else the rest of the world is likely to get serious on Thailand's behalf. Microsoft, fed up with the lack of response from the Thai authorities, took its conerns to the US Government recently who are far more likely to take come kind of action.

The world and Thailand waits with bated breath !! China must be quakeing in their boots also or should that be laughing ?

[chinadarling]

Another example, I am very sad to say, of how Thailand is likely to be viewed as a joke outside the Kingdom. Everyone who has ever been to Bangkok knows that Pantip is the place to go and buy counterfeit software and dodgy DVDs. So for the Deputy PM to lead a 'raid' and discover one single dodgy DVD is going to be viewed as laughable.

Thailand needs to get serious about combating this problem or else the rest of the world is likely to get serious on Thailand's behalf. Microsoft, fed up with the lack of response from the Thai authorities, took its conerns to the US Government recently who are far more likely to take come kind of action.

The world and Thailand waits with bated breath !! China must be quakeing in their boots also or should that be laughing ?

China manages this much better. When US president visits the stores clean up when he goes we can get back to watching movies. No need to arrest anyone. I for one will miss 1USD DVDS when I go back home. ps- 100 baht? thats like 25 rmb... wow expensive 1USD/8rmb in Beijing, Cheaper in the smaller towns 4 rmb...you should visit... with an empty suitcase. Cant mail DVDS in China not even ligit ones. as that would be um proof...but a suitcase is ok on the way out...US customs i hear is not as tolerant. With storage getting cheaper soon we won't need disks. can just put them on your keychain.

[bloody tiger]

Another example, I am very sad to say, of how Thailand is likely to be viewed as a joke outside the Kingdom. Everyone who has ever been to Bangkok knows that Pantip is the place to go and buy counterfeit software and dodgy DVDs. So for the Deputy PM to lead a 'raid' and discover one single dodgy DVD is going to be viewed as laughable.

Thailand needs to get serious about combating this problem or else the rest of the world is likely to get serious on Thailand's behalf. Microsoft, fed up with the lack of response from the Thai authorities, took its conerns to the US Government recently who are far more likely to take come kind of action.

Andy this is correct, microsoft didtake thier concerns to the US government who by no means ignored them. They were quick to enter into high level talks with the thai government and then the thai govt was even quicker with thier response............they quickly dispatched a team headed up by the DPM......

[Chaichara]

The keychain analogy was a good one. As technology marches on you will soon be able to contain all of 40 DVDs in a chip the size of the embedded one in the new British passports...

[rocky]

I was in Pantip last week, was offered Sex vdo and hash by more than a dozen vendors.

Hash?

Hash, hope the following words help....

1. 
   [*]Canibis,
   
2. splif,
   
3. weed,
   
4. the brown,
   
5. dope,
   
6. skunk,
   
7. the mawie mawie,
   
8. marajuana,
   
9. haunty honty,
   
10. pot,
    
11. blim,
    
12. dope,
    
13. resin,
    
14. smoke,
    
15. wackey backey,
    
16. Ganja,
    
17. bud,
    
18. joint,
    
19. the herb,
    
20. the reefer,
    
21. mary jane,
    
22. hemp,
    
23. dank
    

[farang prince]

I was in Pantip last week, was offered Sex vdo and hash by more than a dozen vendors.

Hash?

Hash, hope the following words help....

1. 
   [*]Canibis,
   
2. splif,
   
3. weed,
   
4. the brown,
   
5. dope,
   
6. skunk,
   
7. the mawie mawie,
   
8. marajuana,
   
9. haunty honty,
   
10. pot,
    
11. blim,
    
12. dope,
    
13. resin,
    
14. smoke,
    
15. wackey backey,
    
16. Ganja,
    
17. bud,
    
18. joint,
    
19. the herb,
    
20. the reefer,
    
21. mary jane,
    
22. hemp,
    
23. dank
    

Ah...that ain't hash, dude!

[sriracha john]

I was in Pantip last week, was offered Sex vdo and hash by more than a dozen vendors.

Hash?

Hash, hope the following words help....

1. 
   [*]Canibis,
   
2. splif,
   
3. weed,
   
4. the brown,
   
5. dope,
   
6. skunk,
   
7. the mawie mawie,
   
8. marajuana,
   
9. haunty honty,
   
10. pot,
    
11. blim,
    
12. dope,
    
13. resin,
    
14. smoke,
    
15. wackey backey,
    
16. Ganja,
    
17. bud,
    
18. joint,
    
19. the herb,
    
20. the reefer,
    
21. mary jane,
    
22. hemp,
    
23. dank
    

Thank you. I was worried they were selling cans of fake corned beef hash.

[BlackArtemis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashish

[jaykoh]

It is easy to work out how no larger amounts od porn or copy vcd-dvd were found. When you buy from any of these stalls in Pantip, you have to wait 15 minutes for the disc to arrive, meaning that the discs are not with the vendors, but somewhere out of site.

I was in Pantip last week, was offered Sex vdo and hash by more than a dozen vendors.

Though i was looking to purchase a Skype wireless phone, so left empty handed. well after 15 minutes left with one dvd

they proberbly take the order and then go and burn on to disc. no need to have the discs in stock

[IAMSOBAD]

I must have overslept...is it APRIL FOOLS DAY?

That post cannot be true about his visit to find copies and porn.

This is like the FBI, ATF and DEA looking for drug dealers and arms dealers...when every 12 year old in Ameica knows where to buy them. Everytime I go to Pantip I get asked if I want porn or other DVD copies.

Next he will tell us he went to KFC and couldnt find chicken!

[Jeff1]

DPM raids Pantip Plaza and seizes 1 pornographic VCD

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security Paiboon Wattanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม), conducted an inspection of pornographic vendors at Pantip Plaza and instructed officers to conduct a sting operation resulting in the apprehension of 1 VCD vendor, along with the seizure of 1 pornographic VCD, 30 MP3 discs, and 2 bags of marijuana.

Yep, it looks like he is set up for the night. After that he raided a popcorn shop.

[peter48]

The decline and fall of Thailand - bring back people who can run an open, flexible dynamic economy which will attract foreign capital and high spending tourists

[Choscura]

wow. that deputy prime minister is a real hardass.

[Aujuba]

I walked in there yesterday to check out the DVDs As I walked in about three guys offered the X stuff. I passed them and went upstairs. By the time I got to the third floor the vendors were all closing their shops. The sellers hung around their shops or went for a snack(some got beers). I guess they figured it wouldn't last long. I decided to sit and have noodles and wait a bit too. After a bowl of noodles and a bottle of water I gave up and went home. I don't know if they went into business after I left at about 6:15 pm or so. As I left the building I noticed a police car parked out front. Everyone knew the police were coming before they actually entered Pantip as far as I could see. It didn't look like the vendors took away their stock;they simple put cloth over the sides of their stalls or pulled their shop doors down. I wonder who the police chose to arrest and why? That would make a good story. If you ask the other sellers they'll probably be able to tell you why that one seller was 'victimized'

As for the illegal DVD business, if they crack down on it then fine with me.

Thinking like Robin Hood, the availability of illegal software and movies helps to educate people and advance development in countries like Thailand. Although companies loose out on some extra cash in their coffers, the world benefits.

Playing devils advocate for the rich, the companies that are suffering from piracy should be able to use the 'losses' to piracy as a tax deduction. If the US government can't do its job and get other countries to respect IP laws then companies shouldn't have to pay taxes to the US goverment for losses in those countries. The US government would be put on the spot to make the violators submit. Look at what the US has done to Cuba. Lots of American companies lost land and assets there when the communists took over. The US has blocked Cuba form doing anything with the US. Why doesn't the government protect today's companies?

In a more extreme way, movie companies could have a campaign in which they add script to their movies which belittle governments in select countries for their lack of responsibility in stopping piracy. They could add a few lines in a very popular movie which embarrass the leadership in those countries. Just as they use subliminal marketing in film like showing the brands of products they could bring their point to the publics attention. Stop or we won't stop the negative promotion of your country. Okay, maybe it's a bit over-the-top.

It could be by doing nothing, both countries are doing the right thing. By doing nothing on both ends, life goes on, business goes on, the rich still drink their champagne and the world's poor get a bit more education.

So is Pantip back in business? Anyone been there today?

Oh, why do all the x vcd sellers always look different from the other sellers there? Dark-skinned, long-haired, a bit scruffy, members of some Thai teenage techno-school motorcycle gang.

[chalvy]

Another example, I am very sad to say, of how Thailand is likely to be viewed as a joke outside the Kingdom. Everyone who has ever been to Bangkok knows that Pantip is the place to go and buy counterfeit software and dodgy DVDs. So for the Deputy PM to lead a 'raid' and discover one single dodgy DVD is going to be viewed as laughable.

Thailand needs to get serious about combating this problem or else the rest of the world is likely to get serious on Thailand's behalf. Microsoft, fed up with the lack of response from the Thai authorities, took its conerns to the US Government recently who are far more likely to take come kind of action.

The world and Thailand waits with bated breath !! China must be quakeing in their boots also or should that be laughing ?

China manages this much better. When US president visits the stores clean up when he goes we can get back to watching movies. No need to arrest anyone. I for one will miss 1USD DVDS when I go back home. ps- 100 baht? thats like 25 rmb... wow expensive 1USD/8rmb in Beijing, Cheaper in the smaller towns 4 rmb...you should visit... with an empty suitcase. Cant mail DVDS in China not even ligit ones. as that would be um proof...but a suitcase is ok on the way out...US customs i hear is not as tolerant. With storage getting cheaper soon we won't need disks. can just put them on your keychain.

I worked in China a few years and was shocked by the really cheap price and great quality! Then I come to Thailand and its really hit and miss.

The good news is the Beijing Olympics is getting nearer so the Chinese are cracking down more. I've noticed a few of the DVD's have had automatic chinese subtitles- a sure sign they are making their way down here in greater numbers.

The lesson? Plug one hole in the dyke, another one opens.

[jasreeve17]

Everyone is picking on the Pantip element, but I liked the second part:-

No illegal activity in Patpong.

Really. No prostitution, street stalls, Lui Vutton bags...

[pattaya_girl]

one VCD lol !!! i never knew they celebrated april fools day late in thailand.

[Aujuba]

Is the lack of action really about money from illegal VCD/DVD sales or is it about a bigger issue like leverage or freedom of information etc?

It does look pathetic to the outside world just as so many african 'democracies' do.

[rogerman]

Is the lack of action really about money from illegal VCD/DVD sales or is it about a bigger issue like leverage or freedom of information etc?

It does look pathetic to the outside world just as so many african 'democracies' do.

what a waste of time.....the police went thru all the internet cafes in Nonthaburi and cleaned out the copied playstation games and fined each 20,000 baht.....were they totally blind when they went to panthip? where do you think any of the games came from?....maybe the deputy PM wanted the weed for himself when he watched the VCD that he got....maybe one VCD is enough to keep him happy for a while

[bob/nyc]

Now that this total waste of manpower, how many officers were with him, plenty I presume, is finished and a success, get your sad ass down south and try and curb the violence there.

I don't understand it, this country has so many proprities before bringing an end to the atrocities down south.

[Arkady]

He should have followed Banharn's example when he was interior minister and went to Patpong in disguise wearing a wig. Fortunately Banharn also found no signs of prostitution or any other illegal activities. Anyway it must beat raiding bars and getting girls in spagetti straps to pee into cups.

[Artisi]

The raid must be worth at least one brownie point.

Edited April 24, 2007 by Artisi

[veteran]

: TIT

[cyborgx]

'Tis rather annoying to have a bunch of young Thai guys approach you to ask if you want a sexy DVD... I know that they all assume we're sex fiends, but come on. And, they often don't take 'no' for an answer.

I agree it is really annoying and being a frequent visitor I usually wear earphones which keeps them away, otherwise I find telling them to "###### Off!" usually gets my feelings across nicely Whilst they don't all know me there yet, there are definitely a few that seemed to have learned to stay away, AND KEEP THEIR HANDS TO THEMSELVES! If you don't like it, let them know. They wouldnt expect to get away with grabbing Thai's and it's time they learnt we don't like it either....

As far as the story is concerned, I presume the DVD stalls and shops (still there? not been there for a while) in Patpong just became temporarily invisble?

[BigSnake]

Just try to do his job, earn his pay I guess. More than you can say about most DP.

[PJRay]

Everyone is picking on the Pantip element, but I liked the second part:-

.

Really. No prostitution, street stalls, Lui Vutton bags...

I was going to say the exact same thing. How ANYONE, let alone a government official, can openly declare there's "No illegal activity in Patpong," is a slap in face to anyone with even the slightest trace of common sense. (Mind you, common sense in this country is as difficult to find as a good steak)

Seriously though, coming out and saying this in public, strips this guy of ANY remaining credibility he may have had.

It's outright embarrassing.

[zeusbheld]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security Paiboon Wattanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม), conducted an inspection of pornographic vendors at Pantip Plaza and instructed officers to conduct a sting operation resulting in the apprehension of 1 VCD vendor, along with the seizure of 1 pornographic VCD, 30 MP3 discs, and 2 bags of marijuana.

I love it. They found more dope than they did porn CDs. Must have looked real hard, eh?

The Deputy Prime Minister then visited entertainment venues along Patpong district on Silom Road and reports finding no illegal activities. Mr. Paiboon reported that youths under the age of 20 years were not found inside local entertainment venues and bar proprietors and their staff were cooperative.

Would it be cynical to suggest that possibly perhaps maybe somebody had advance notice of this visit...?

That says it all.

I can hardly attempt to buy a computer game with my family without having touts try to push everything from straight sex to animal sex vcds on me where I shop, and yet no police raid has ever found anything there.

just in case the deputy pm is reading these forums...

i think what he needs is a farrang to use as bait in a sting operation. ever eager to aid the cause of law and order, i cheerfully volunteer for the job. the deputy PM can message me to discuss the special visa terms that will be granted for my distinguished service in the name of justice and morality...

[zeusbheld]

The Deputy Prime Minister then visited entertainment venues along Patpong district on Silom Road and reports finding no illegal activities.

so this basically means if it happens at patpong it has the deputy PM's blessing? can i get the 500 baht i back from my no seatbelt ticket then? i wanna put it in my louie futon wallet.