NBTC Licence for import of media boxes

[SooKee]

Was contemplating buying an Nvidia Shield TV direct from Amazon the other day as the cost could be up to 2,000 baht less than a supplier here in Thailand.  Stalled on proceeding with the order because of some concern over the NBTC announcement in May regarding the importation, manufacture, sale etc. of such boxes. I mailed the NBTC and queried whether the announcement related to traders only and whether, specifically, individual purchase / import for personal use required a licence or not.  The NBTC replied and confirmed that it does.  On that basis I think I'd err on the side of caution and buy locally and avoid the hassle (and appearing on the radar) for any future purchases, or at the very least until the situation is clearer.

 

Could be a bit risky if folks buy these boxes online from outside of Thailand (Amazon / Alibaba etc) and have them stopped by customs to check whether the purchaser has a licence.  Not sure I'd like to gamble on the device not being picked up at port of entry, especially if 'media box' or anything similar is endorsed on the customs declaration certificate (CN22/23).  Given that this applies to the purchase / import of these boxes by post it'll be interesting to see what, if anything, happens to folks returning to or visiting Thailand from overseas having purchased (or even bringing in for the duration of their trip) such a box or device (which includes media players, Apple TV, Google Chromecast etc).  As with anything, it'll all come down to how well the licence requirement is communicated to, enforced and, as ever, interpreted at ports of entry I guess.

 

As an aside, Baht & Sold have issued a announcement that they are not taking any ads for the sale of such devices until such stage as the situation is clearer.

 

The licence application (only available in Thai) is here: 

 

NBTC License.pdf