Mobiles Ban For Cinemas

[mitrapaap]

Another crazy and stupid (and unenforceable) law the Thai government plans to bring out; in a country where so much depends on face I am again and again surprised how willingly politicians act like kindergarten-age children and put cake all over their face.

It is obvious that NOBODY films a movie in a cinema and puts it on a DVD for sale by using a mobile phone. We are not in the 80s any more.

Nowadays those are highly professional operations with CD-pressing equipment using very good digital copies of the films themselves; so large amounts of money are involved that they must be available to such operations maybe even from insiders form the studios or distribution companies themselves.

But then again, if it is so obvious common knowledge, why do the Thais not scream with laughter and such "news" is really printed in a newspaper? Amazing Thailand.

So what do you want the Thai government to do? Shut down Pantip Plaza and similar places? That is what the U.S. want, but do we want it? Do you want to pay 30,000 Baht for your computer programs? So Thai government just takes some actions to please the americans but actions that will have no impact on the people here. Maybe not that stupid after all. If Thai government bowed to the U.S. world dicators, our life would become very expensive. U.S. wants globalisation, but for them that means: we, american, leader of the planet, can sell our products wherever we want without restrictions, but don't dare to copy us! I wonder what kind of sanctions they would take against Thailand.

[mitrapaap]

Holy mother of christ on a fuc_king bike.

This government NEVER ceases to amaze me. And it also troubles me.

YET AGAIN they have given NO thought to the implementation and enforcement of this ludicrous law !

There are two areas that have begun to worry me though.

1. This government likes picking on the little guy. Talk of increased booze bans over holiday periods. Trying to ban certain websites (youTube for instance - and the world laughed as they failed) And now banning mobile phones in cinemas because they think people can record a whole film on such a device. Clearly YOU CANNOT ! fuc_kING IDIOTS.

2. And more worrying is that YET AGAIN Thai people have voted in, democratically, another self-serving dictator.

I'm quite serious about this. The Thai idea of democracy and the Western idea of democracy appear to not be even similar.

When this absolutely CORRUPT country has problems like MONKS and POLICEMEN cheating in exams, when there is an Army officer who killed someone and is then allowed back into the force 'after the heat has died down', when an ex-PM has 'all' his assets frozen but manages to buy an English football club with his 82 million POUNDS small change...............and the banning of mobile phones is the best they can come up with?

This is a joke right?

All the fundamental things that are wrong with this country and this is the best they can come up with.

Jesus H fuc_king Christ Almighty.

We're living in Disneyland, boys, and Daffy fuc_king Duck is at the helm.

To think, i have been toying with the idea of investing in a business and property in this country................

forget it. It becomes more like Burma and China every day.

I don't think you should invest in a business in Thailand. Positive thinking and positive attitude are ingredients for success. You seem to lack of both of them.

[seagull]

Mobiles ban for cinemas

BANGKOK: -- Mobile phones will soon be banned from cinemas as the government strives to combat the high level of intellectual-property-rights (IPR) violations in the Kingdom.

The move follows a meeting yesterday between Deputy Commerce Minister Banyin Tangpaporn and officers of the International Intellectual Property Association (IIPA).

The association urged the creation of a law forbidding mobiles in cinemas, because it found that easy access for high-technology late-model phones had increased copyright infringements.

Yesterday's meeting also sought closer cooperation between the IIPA and Thai authorities in the suppression of IPR violations, following Thailand's relegation to the US Priority Watch List (PWL) for failing to protect US movies, music and computer programs against piracy. The list entails extra scrutiny and the threat of economic sanctions if the US decides to pursue complaints before the World Trade Organisation.

"The IIPA has called for stringent laws to forbid mobile phones in cinemas, because there is reportedly a high level of violations when they are allowed in," Banyin said.

Thai police say cases of mobile phones being used to violate film copyright in cinemas have been reported to them.

The Intellectual Property Depart- ment will be asked to call a meeting of relevant agencies, including cinema operators and owners of film copyrights, to discuss the problem.

Banyin said film-copyright violations have destroyed the country's image in the eyes of the international community.

"We have the Copyright Act to control such crimes;we may need more regulations and stringent punishments."

--The Nation 2008-05-01

Oh please, someone help get me back on the chair!

[anon467367354]

I don't think it's a question of "shutting" down Panthip or any other mall/dept store/mega outdoor market where they blatantly sell this stuff. Maybe they should target the people selling the pirated goods, or bads considering the quality of what one gets. I don't buy pirated goods from these places because the quality isn't good enough, I can download all and any of this stuff from innumerable warez sites, and they work! What does the US do to curb this kind of indecent behavior? Maybe the Thai should take a look at how countries that are light years ahead in development, keep in mind it takes a developed minds to develop a country, deal with this kind of "problem". This reckless driving force of no commonsense/let's re-invent the wheel mentality has got to go. The problem is the Thai are too lazy, too "mai bpen rai" to do anything about it. I think they just don't know any better. It's not that they aren't smart, it's that they are really still children, if one wants to put it in perspective. Does anything pertain to everything, no, so don't go the I think all the Thai are stupid response, I said most of them.

[Ijustwannateach]

Well, gosh, they've found the solution: if no customers are in the theatre, you won't have any violations of intellectual property rights. Muppets!

This has the hallmarks of the usual "can't tell the stupid high-ranking official his idea is asinine, so let's announce that it's being discussed so that people will tell him for us" method.

[NduguChancellor]

Is this April fool's day again?

If I were Thai, I would be very worried about how silly my government is.

I don't believed you should be worry about that, they are as silly as my own government. I cannot wait to change my wifes phone for a new one because hse bugs me everyday.

[seagull]

Another crazy and stupid (and unenforceable) law the Thai government plans to bring out; in a country where so much depends on face I am again and again surprised how willingly politicians act like kindergarten-age children and put cake all over their face.

It is obvious that NOBODY films a movie in a cinema and puts it on a DVD for sale by using a mobile phone. We are not in the 80s any more.

Nowadays those are highly professional operations with CD-pressing equipment using very good digital copies of the films themselves; so large amounts of money are involved that they must be available to such operations maybe even from insiders form the studios or distribution companies themselves.

But then again, if it is so obvious common knowledge, why do the Thais not scream with laughter and such "news" is really printed in a newspaper? Amazing Thailand.

So what do you want the Thai government to do? Shut down Pantip Plaza and similar places? That is what the U.S. want, but do we want it? Do you want to pay 30,000 Baht for your computer programs? So Thai government just takes some actions to please the americans but actions that will have no impact on the people here. Maybe not that stupid after all. If Thai government bowed to the U.S. world dicators, our life would become very expensive. U.S. wants globalisation, but for them that means: we, american, leader of the planet, can sell our products wherever we want without restrictions, but don't dare to copy us! I wonder what kind of sanctions they would take against Thailand.

I feel you're missing the point here. It is not about ok or not ok to purchase counterfeit items. Everyone knows for a fact it is illegal to purchase/own an item that infringes upon copyright laws. However, in this case, the gov here intends to legislate the banning of mobile phones in cinemas which is nonsense and impossible to enforce ! (except with the possibility of some "tea money" for the ushers or enforcer).

If and when they (gov) are serious about wiping out copyright infringement of IPs', then they should start by getting the "syndicates", and not have a total ban on mobiles in cinemas, which I again would says it is out of sync!

[kiakaha]

Is this April fool's day again?

If I were Thai, I would be very worried about how silly my government is.

the thing is, some "pu yai" <deleted> high up the "pi-nong" hierarchy would have had this knee jerk idea(with zero thought put into its merits), and then because of the hindrances of thai culture in the workplace with regards to effective discussion, no one would speak up or challenge/criticise the idea or promote constructive dialogue of the topic amongst one another to arrive at the best idea.Heavens forbid the pu-yai's idea is superceeded by someone elses input, god, the loss of face involved...haha.

[ChiangMaiMike]

The pressure is on to do something.

So what's wrong with a plan to enact something that's basically unenforcible?

Can show the Americans that drastic measures are being taken and not actually have to do anything.

Or can argue that it in fact it worked, and that "NO movies have been prirated using cell phones since steps were taken!"

Win/Win... good plan.

We may think we smarter than them... but they know they 10 times more clever.

[apex2000]

Another crazy and stupid (and unenforceable) law the Thai government plans to bring out; in a country where so much depends on face I am again and again surprised how willingly politicians act like kindergarten-age children and put cake all over their face.

It is obvious that NOBODY films a movie in a cinema and puts it on a DVD for sale by using a mobile phone. We are not in the 80s any more.

Nowadays those are highly professional operations with CD-pressing equipment using very good digital copies of the films themselves; so large amounts of money are involved that they must be available to such operations maybe even from insiders form the studios or distribution companies themselves.

But then again, if it is so obvious common knowledge, why do the Thais not scream with laughter and such "news" is really printed in a newspaper? Amazing Thailand.

So what do you want the Thai government to do? Shut down Pantip Plaza and similar places? That is what the U.S. want, but do we want it? Do you want to pay 30,000 Baht for your computer programs? So Thai government just takes some actions to please the americans but actions that will have no impact on the people here. Maybe not that stupid after all. If Thai government bowed to the U.S. world dicators, our life would become very expensive. U.S. wants globalisation, but for them that means: we, american, leader of the planet, can sell our products wherever we want without restrictions, but don't dare to copy us! I wonder what kind of sanctions they would take against Thailand.

You seem to be worrying about paying for your software if the likes of Pantip is closed? Ever heard of Bit Torrent?

[Journalist]

3 words

MOBILE PHONE JAMMERS

They kill the signal of mobile phones within a certain radius (depending on their power of the unit and wavelength of signal.

Size of a cigarette packet. I know shops where they can be bought. I've seen them demonstrated - awesome. The signal on your phone just dies.

When they allow mobiles on planes, I'm getting one.

If you were perverse you could sit on the BTS turning it on and off and interrupting people's calls - and they wouldn't know why, eheheheh.

Edited May 1, 2008 by Journalist

[slim]

I think this one even beats the government minister who bravely announced that he would send tax bills to the betting companies outside Thailand if anyone was caught gambling online in the Kingdom.

Do you think they run a competition in the government with a prize for the minister who can come up with the most laughable proposal?

I suppose if an ex prime Minister can buy a football club and measure his managers success and failure on wether he's qualified the team for the Chamipions League - there's little hope for the rest of them.

[sweetchariot]

3 words

MOBILE PHONE JAMMERS

They kill the signal of mobile phones within a certain radius (depending on their power of the unit and wavelength of signal.

Size of a cigarette packet. I know shops where they can be bought. I've seen them demonstrated - awesome. The signal on your phone just dies.

When they allow mobiles on planes, I'm getting one.

If you were perverse you could sit on the BTS turning it on and off and interrupting people's calls - and they wouldn't know why, eheheheh.

Last time I checked you didn't need network coverage to capture video.

[sweetchariot]

I think this one even beats the government minister who bravely announced that he would send tax bills to the betting companies outside Thailand if anyone was caught gambling online in the Kingdom.

Do you think they run a competition in the government with a prize for the minister who can come up with the most laughable proposal?

I suppose if an ex prime Minister can buy a football club and measure his managers success and failure on wether he's qualified the team for the Chamipions League - there's little hope for the rest of them.

But not as good as 'lets ban smoking in public places. Oops sorry, we were only joking'.

[MrPaddy]

Apparently its only 1st of april in Ireland.

[PrBkkPr]

Well the cinema groups are definitely going to go out of business soon. There is only SF Group and Major & EGV Group which have merged into one....already the attendance rate in cinemas went down after last year's bangkok bombings plus their rule of not letting food even those bought from tenants in their own premises have sharply contributed to this. Phone checks ,etc will only let more people to stay at home and watch the DVDs which is more economical be it pirated or original.Will be interesting to see what happens.

[Journalist]

3 words

MOBILE PHONE JAMMERS

They kill the signal of mobile phones within a certain radius (depending on their power of the unit and wavelength of signal.

Size of a cigarette packet. I know shops where they can be bought. I've seen them demonstrated - awesome. The signal on your phone just dies.

When they allow mobiles on planes, I'm getting one.

If you were perverse you could sit on the BTS turning it on and off and interrupting people's calls - and they wouldn't know why, eheheheh.

Last time I checked you didn't need network coverage to capture video.

Oops, yes quite true, egg on my fsce there.

[kolasaab]

Do not know about the Government being silly, but when The Thai Government get wind of what the UK Government announced yesterday, it will be the end of the end for all 3G mobiles. The UK Gov, in their wisdom, have announce a new law that all mobiles that take pictures/videos will be banned , as they have been used by thugs to take pics and footage of beatings of both adults and youths.

Thats news to me, and im in the uk and read the news and watch it on tv. so, i dont know where you heard that rubbish

[bunta71]

If they were any smarter we couldn't afford to live here

[Fantasteak]

Do not know about the Government being silly, but when The Thai Government get wind of what the UK Government announced yesterday, it will be the end of the end for all 3G mobiles. The UK Gov, in their wisdom, have announce a new law that all mobiles that take pictures/videos will be banned , as they have been used by thugs to take pics and footage of beatings of both adults and youths.

Where on Earth did you get that bit of miss-information from?? Did you dream that up or what? Was that next to the story of the Thai government banning the eating of rice in the evening?

[Fantasteak]

Do not know about the Government being silly, but when The Thai Government get wind of what the UK Government announced yesterday, it will be the end of the end for all 3G mobiles. The UK Gov, in their wisdom, have announce a new law that all mobiles that take pictures/videos will be banned , as they have been used by thugs to take pics and footage of beatings of both adults and youths.

Not doubting you but that sounds very hard to believe. Do you have a link for the banning of camera mobiles in the UK?

You know why it sounds hard to beleave? Because it is a 1st class peice of Bull. There are about 30 million of them at least in Britain. The government sold the license for 3G netwoprks for Billions of £s. Can you see them giving that back? NOT!.

[IAMSOBAD]

has this group of morons ever announced a solution that would actually solve a problem? i think these people who announce these foolish new laws should be stoned to death in a public forum. then maybe they would think... at least once... before they are quoted in a newspaper about their screwed up ideas and idiotic laws.

[meelousee]

I think.... No I dont

Stupid is as stupid does.

Another day in Thailand...

[teddy_bare]

Seems strange, as I walked into the cinema in Central Rama 3 with a video camera. This happened 2 days ago. They had a search area and metal detector. I handed my man bag over to the checker who throughly checked it and must have seen the video camera inside the bag. The detector indicated and i pulled out my fairly new and hi tech mobile phone. They smiled and waved me through. More amazingly was I had to go back out to use the toilet as the one inside was out of use. On my returned they waved me through the check point.

So poor security skills and lack of interest or too much respect of culture. i think they wouldnt have challenged me as i am, 1) older than them, 2) A White guy.

i had no intention of using my video camera, i had just carry it all the time to capture Amazing Thailand in action.

Amazing clips include, following a very drunk Motor Cycle taxi driver and boy of six making their way home on his bike. One car jumping the lights to cross the Kasete road, missing high speed cars as it crossed. Somchai the Policeman, trying to scam me on a traffic voilation. He even watched me start my video camera and position it on the dash!

I wasn't driving whilst i captured any of these, so please no moaners.

For those who think it's impossible or unfeasible to take mobiles off of cinema goers, you are wrong. Trying going to Fantasea or Siam Niramit shows. They have massive attendence and easily manage to take in, hold and safely return phones and cameras. Staff in most Centrals hardly seem pushed at any time, so a little extra work wont break them.

[UbonTaz]

I wouldn't mind seeing phones banned just because of those who leave their ringtones active and insist on answering their phones and talking during the movie. I would be amazed if a mobile phone has enough memory to copy an entire movie.

Would rather though they ban the 30 minutes of advertising the theaters receive money that they show before the movies. Getting out of hand.

[britmaveric]

Pirate dvds come from China or Malaysia - same lad who coughs all the time too!!!

[jstumbo]

So what do you want the Thai government to do? Shut down Pantip Plaza and similar places? That is what the U.S. want, but do we want it? Do you want to pay 30,000 Baht for your computer programs? So Thai government just takes some actions to please the americans but actions that will have no impact on the people here. Maybe not that stupid after all. If Thai government bowed to the U.S. world dicators, our life would become very expensive. U.S. wants globalisation, but for them that means: we, american, leader of the planet, can sell our products wherever we want without restrictions, but don't dare to copy us! I wonder what kind of sanctions they would take against Thailand.

Production of physical products in the US has gone down for years. Factories have moved to Asia to take advantage of the cheap labor. Some of the bigest exports that the US now has are movies, software, music and such. If these cannot be protected, they will lose even more money.

Do you not think that Europe would be pressing for IPR protection if they made all the software, movies and music that were being pirated?

Europe complains about the fake luxury consumer goods. They would be complaining even more if these products were sold as widely as movies, music and software. The luxury consumer products companies from Europe rip people off with the high prices. There is no reason that a handbag should cost $10,000+. It is only because of the name. The bag probably cost very little to develop and very little to produce. Where as software costs a lot to develop, but very little to produce on the CDs. So there is a justification for the price to be high for software, but none for the Gucci bag.

Why shouldn't the US be able to sell its products in Thailand? Thailand sells products to the US.

[amanda76]

Of all the things that need to be corrected here, or there, the Powers that be decide to go after Copyright Infringement?

Reminds me of America needing to help someone so we go into Iraq?

We elects these people? Genocide, Starving Children, and Drug running, and they choose this.

What a waste of time. I am not handing over my Cell Phone to see the crap from the States. I thought it was rough here, now they are filming beatings in the UK?

(IMHO) BOBBY'S NEED GUNS! Not CCTV.

~a~

[TEFLMike]

[qu

[TEFLMike]

Do not know about the Government being silly, but when The Thai Government get wind of what the UK Government announced yesterday, it will be the end of the end for all 3G mobiles. The UK Gov, in their wisdom, have announce a new law that all mobiles that take pictures/videos will be banned , as they have been used by thugs to take pics and footage of beatings of both adults and youths.

Not doubting you but that sounds very hard to believe. Do you have a link for the banning of camera mobiles in the UK?

I spend a lot of time in AOL UK NEWS . It