There are funny elements. But this is real people. They are used to things being allowed by authorities. That is a reality, and people adapt to this, with their economy and obligations. Prostitution has been outlawed in Thailand since 1960. What if the police sent out a warning letter, and subsequently arrested all the girls and closed all bars in Karon and Kata, while nothing was done in Patong? Would we hear "Haha, they have been doing something illegal for as long as you have been working? And now you object to the law being enforced? TIT!" ? If "No", could it be because our respect for the law and sympathy for sudden and random law-enforcement is different if applied to pretty girls and those dependent on their support - vs. towards ugly men and ditto? If they need money, can't they just send their daughters to work in the bars? Sudden law enforcement targeting selected groups have nothing to do with justice or proper management of a society, and objections are completely valid.

If the girly bars in Patong, or wherever, or indeed any other illegal activity in LOS, stopped paying the 'relavent authorities' every month, they would suffer a similar course of action. That's just how it works. I think you may have missed the point; they're only being 'bullied' because they broke the agreement which had previously allowed them to operate (illegally). Let's face it, they got greedy (or just plain stupid) when they decided to stop paying the 'tea money' and now they're suffering. Maybe they'll learn from this, but then again.

This is the funniest thing I have read all day. Keep em coming.

:cheesy: :cheesy:

Typical Thai mentality ......DUMB

That is why they are and will always be a 5th world banana country.

And don't get me started on Thai mentality "I would be banned before the end of the day"

I kind of see both sides here. The only profits turned by the motion picture industry is from DVD/On Demand etc. However, I have always thought it was a bit harsh to enforce copyright laws such as these in developing and 3rd world countries which amount to an insignificant portion of profits anyway. Hollywood and the record industry should write it off as charity and double their efforts at shutting torrent sites if they want to put a dent in piracy.

I don't see any smilie faces on this post so you must be serious. It has been estimated that there are billions of USD worth of counterfeit goods produced and sold in asia. Particularly China. Hardly insignificant. Perhaps you have been in Thailand too long and have begun to think like a Thai when it comes to what is legal and illegal.

In both the UK & US, there is a law ... as I don't know it's correct title or term, let's call it "habitual permission" ... which states basically that if something has been allowed/condoned for X years, then it's continuance is permitted if no law expressly forbids it (i.e. makes it illegal) and is backed up with case history of proven prosecutions. Not that it's got much to do with the price of rice or bootlegging, but thought I'd mention it.

Anyway, the OP has given me the best laugh from Thailand in best part of a decade - I too thought it was from Not the Nation until I saw the credits. Well done Phuket Gazette - brilliant reportage and just the tonic many of us needed after the election results.

I guess you are referring to what is called acquiescence. But this applies only to the owner of the right, not the law enforcement.

Its illegal to sell copy protected materials. The pirates have been getting away with it by paying off the police. then they made a mistake by refusing to pay off the police, and now the police are using this opportunity to put these guys out of business and also make sure that the others who might be thinking about refusing to payoff the police will know whats in their futures also. Keep paying bribes or suffer!

At least one person, has posted a sensible comment !

Yes amazing posters complaining about Thailand but keep coming and or living here.

People complaining when things are odd... how democratic/Eurocentric.

Send them straight home!!!

I agree with you- this is Thailand, here we do not welcome free speach or thought.