Software And Dvd,s

[Doisaketmoobaan]

Where can I buy good qaulity Software and Dvd,s I have been buying Dvd,s at small store on ground floor of Big C.

-Anything Like Pantip in Bkk. I am aware they will open a Cm Pantip soon -anyone have any info?

[cutethaigirl]

Icon and the two next to it on the North side of the moat.

Pantip is nearing completion but rather expect a lot of the Airport Plaza and other shops to relocate that any new?

Fuji Japanese food is open now.

CT

[BlissfullyIgnorant]

I guess it depends on what you're looking for, in respect to legitimacy..

The three venues listed by cutethaigirl from my experience stock only bootleg software - naughty naughty.

If you're looking for genuine DVD's, there's a place adjacent to DK bookstore, on the eastern outer ring of the moat. Expect to pay Western prices and then some (1000+ baht a DVD). All genuine from what I can see.

There's a couple of stands on level 3 of Kad Suan Kaew that sell geuine VCD's and DVD's, but most VCD's are dubbed in Thai - best to stick to the DVD's.

Of course you can always buy geuine movies at the big retailers (Central, Robinson etc), but even there software is light on the ground.

If you're looking for genuine software, it doesn't seem to exist. Even the "big" stores like IT city don't sell software (bizarre).

The only genuine software I've seen is that that comes bundled with new, name brand PC's, and one shop on the 4th floor of Pantip Plaza, Pratunam. Mind you, the only reason I found that shop is because I rang Microsoft Bangkok and asked them where I could buy legal kit. It even took MS 3 hours to get back to me. Sad state of affairs.

[maerim]

It even took MS 3 hours to get back to me. Sad state of affairs.

Probably took them that long to find a legal dealer here.

[BlissfullyIgnorant]

Probably took them that long to find a legal dealer here.

That's precisely what the situtation was. Mind you, I did ask them for a dealer that had it *in stock* as well. Big ask, I know

[cutethaigirl]

Reading a sales brochure for DATA IT. THey have a few branches, KSK, Airport and the new Panthip at least.

as a guide i did read that "chiangmai is a prosperous City with an avererage per capita income of 60,000Baht a year"

That is income not disposable income. Photoshop that all the budding local designers must have is advertised at 35,000 baht. Mor than half a years 'average' wages.

Not saying what is right or wrong but maybe a good reason why 150b at the alternative locations seem to attract longer queues?

Someone mentioned MS stuff. THat is pictured in the flyer but not priced.

How comes software is not priced according to local means rather than globally.

Big Macs are priced in that way.........

CT

[BlissfullyIgnorant]

as a guide i did read that "chiangmai is a prosperous City with an avererage per capita income of 60,000Baht a year"

That is income not disposable income. Photoshop that all the budding local designers must have is advertised at 35,000 baht. Mor than half a years 'average' wages.

The single software package I purchased in my above post cost 63,000 baht

How comes software is not priced according to local means rather than globally.

Big Macs are priced in that way.........

Actually I have seen examples of special Thailand software pricing. On the upper floor of Central Airport Plaza there's a shop selling the latest (genuine) PC games for between 400-600 baht. These exact same games would cost you 2500-3000 baht in any Western country. One thing to consider is that most recent games are 2-5 CD's - given this fact the counterfeits would have to be approaching the cost of the genuine articles..

I have never seen localised discounting for SOHO, business or enterprise software though. There are many reasons why this is valid, while there are reasons why discounting would also be valid. An argument for someone else

[p1p]

If you're looking for genuine DVD's, there's a place adjacent to DK bookstore, on the eastern outer ring of the moat. Expect to pay Western prices and then some (1000+ baht a DVD). All genuine from what I can see.

I would avoid this place like the plague. Many of the "Genuine" disks they sell are not only copies but are also ex-rental. Have had several major run-ins with them and now refuse to go back. Their prices are also sky high for both copies and originals.

The best place, by far, for the genuine article id the NEO Entertainment Gallery on the top floor of the new Central Airport Plaza. It is near to the Lanna Exhibition Hall and looks like a shop for High End Hi Fi until you enter. They also have trade contacts overseas and are able to import to order for remarkably good value. Normally at least 30-50% cheaper than the rip-off place at DK.

They also stock genuine CDs.

[astral]

It even took MS 3 hours to get back to me. Sad state of affairs.

And then they moan that there are pirate copies available..........

Can't have it both ways!!

[sabaijai]

For cheap legit DVDs and VCDs, the best place I've found is Mangpong on the ground floor of Central Airport Plaza. Lots of DVDs sell for less than 200B each, and the selection is at least as good as the places selling pirated product (although the selection is entirely different). Also Mangpong has a good selection of Thai films on DVD, best I've seen in Chiang Mai. The staff is also very helpful there. Some of the latest foriegn films cost over 200B but only when first released on DVD. After a few months they all get reduced to below 200B, or so it would appear.

[Norman d'Plume]

Maengpong is good, but for the best in more well-known films & concerts you can not beat Neo, upstairs. Their ordering service is also exemplary. Prices similar to Amazon but without delivery & extra duty charges.

Possibly the best selection of rental DVDs in CM too.

[Ajarn]

Maengpong is good, but for the best in more well-known films & concerts you can not beat Neo, upstairs. Their ordering service is also exemplary. Prices similar to Amazon but without delivery & extra duty charges.

Possibly the best selection of rental DVDs in CM too.

Regarding duty on DVD's, I've ordered at least a dozrn times from Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble over the last couple of years.

When I've opted for the fastest overseas delivery (about a week, UPS or FedEx), I've always paid duty charged at 33% of the value +shipping fees (I think it's a total ripoff for Thailand to charge me duty on the shipping charges)

But when I ordered using the second-fastest option, where the last leg to my home is by local PO (1-2 weeks), I've only had to pay duty once.....Either they deliver it to my house, or I get a paper to go pick it up at the PO. Either way, it's almost always free.

It just isn't worth it for me to pay an exra 33% just to get a package a few days earlier, so I always take the second option...

I must add, too, the Amazon.com has provided perfect service to me, even when an order got 'waylaid' , seemingly by a Thai PO worker. When I contacted Amazon.com when the order was late, they sent a completely new order out to me the next day, no hassle, no extra cost...They just asked me to contact them if the missing order ever showed.

[Doisaketmoobaan]

Speaking of duty how does that work say if i orderd a us$50 dollar item shipped direct to my house [ie) electronics how does it get paid and how do they determine value?-R

[Ajarn]

Speaking of duty how does that work say if i orderd a us$50 dollar item shipped direct to my house [ie) electronics how does it get paid and how do they determine value?-R

As you've suggested, make sure you always use door-door shippers. Failure to make that clear could mean that you will have to go to the customs house near the Airport (if your stuff came by air). The people are nice there, and the taxes reasonable, but expect to spend half your day there, or longer, depending on your looks and whether you've requested, and paid for, 'express service'. If you speak Thai and smile a bit, things tend to be cheaper and faster, in my experience.

Worse-case scenario is that if your stuff arrives in BKK by ship, and you're not using the postal service, you'll likely end up having to go get your stuff at Klong Toey, after you've spent at least a few hours, and usually a bunch of money. Best to use an Agent if this happens to you.

Klong Toey scenario only happened to me once, many years ago.

If you're using FedEX, UPS, etc., they will do the customs paperwork and payoff for you, but FedEx charged me an extra 800-1,000 baht fee each time (over the customs/taxes)

If by PO, they will send you a notice at your home addtress, advising you of a package, and often the customs charges, if any, will be included in that paper, which you will take to the PO listed to pay for and get your stuff.

With DVD's, when I've been charged, they just take the invoice price, plus shipping. and I pay 33%(maybe 30%?)...

In other times, in other places inThailand where I've received videos from home or something else of a personal nature, sometimes I was charged, sometimes I wasn't, but, when charged, it was always more than the value that was listed in the customs paperwork from the States...In most of these cases, my taxes were more than the value of the goods shipped...

If the declared value is $25(?) or less, it's supposed to be tax-free, but the PO hasn't always followed that...

Most electronic items are taxed at 5% now, including computers. My GPSR was also charged at 5%

I think Thai customs has a website with duty categories and costs listed...

These are just my experiences. Yours might be different

[sabaijai]

Prices similar to Amazon but without delivery & extra duty charges.

Amazon's average DVD price is out of my budget, binkie. I'll stick to Maeng Pong's selection of 200B or less, as their selection is still way ahead of me given I only watch one or two DVDs a month ...

[Doisaketmoobaan]

Just returned from burma border found every imaginable dvd and concert dvd's

at exceptional quality only 100 baht per title. cant beat it aywhere

over and out- -R

[Ajarn]

Just returned from burma border found every imaginable dvd and concert dvd's

at exceptional quality only 100 baht per title. cant beat it aywhere

over and out- -R

Mae Sai?

Can you describe where, exactly ? Along the shopping street below the bridge, to the left? Or one of the sois off the main road near the bridge?

Mostly I've found Burmese music and some old crap...I'll be going up there soon for some shopping, and it would be nice to find some quality

[cutethaigirl]

Ajarn

It was Doisaket that posted but i will assist.

Cross the bridge past all the touts etc.

Take the first set of steps down to the street market.

Turn immediately right. Walk not more than 50 metres and the shop on the left is great. If you miss that entrance and arrive at the next road. Turn left and it is on the left. Like an 'L' shaped shop.

I think 110Baht is the norm.

Would not agree that "every imaginable" but certainly a lot.

THey are Chinese origin so technically legal for personal use:-)

Have subtitles that can be turned off and the soundtrack is USUALLY english but ask:-)

MP3's of thai and international go 5 4 100 baht.

Proper CD's about 80-90.

DO NOT buy porn in the streets unless they are prepared to test it . THey wont be:-) Like karaoke!!!!

Had a dodgy dvd once and they just changed it on the next trip.

Have some superb collector boxed sets like the whole 'ER' or 'NYPD' series etc.

Have fun.

Get me a few??

CT

[Lordfoul]

I was at that shop in April and picked up a few TV show Boxed sets at 70BT per disc. Everytime I go there they have a different price but they do have the best selection. There are a couple more shops on the same road that have a smaller selection but sometimes you can find stuff the bigger shop doesn't have.

/SM

[Ajarn]

Ajarn

It was Doisaket that posted but i will assist.

Cross the bridge past all the touts etc.

Take the first set of steps down to the street market.

Turn immediately right. Walk not more than 50 metres and the shop on the left is great. If you miss that entrance and arrive at the next road. Turn left and it is on the left. Like an 'L' shaped shop.

I think 110Baht is the norm.

Would not agree that "every imaginable" but certainly a lot.

THey are Chinese origin so technically legal for personal use:-)

Have subtitles that can be turned off and the soundtrack is USUALLY english but ask:-)

MP3's of thai and international go 5 4 100 baht.

Proper CD's about 80-90.

DO NOT buy porn in the streets unless they are prepared to test it . THey wont be:-)  Like karaoke!!!!

Had a dodgy dvd once and they just changed it on the next trip.

Have some superb collector boxed sets like the whole 'ER' or 'NYPD' series etc.

Have fun.

Get me a few??

CT

I was trying to imagine the testing of Porn before purchase ..In the street?

And, just to confirm, by 'cross the bridge', we're in Tachilek, not Mae Sai, right?

I'll keep an eye out for some boxed sets for you

Cheers.

[thebear]

Where can I buy good qaulity Software and Dvd,s I have been buying Dvd,s at small store on ground floor of Big C.

-Anything Like Pantip in Bkk. I am aware they will open a Cm Pantip soon -anyone have any info?

For software copies there are several shops around the top of the wall close tto Chiang Mai Ram Hospital (ICON Square etc.,), for a selection of good DVD's deliverable in CM check out 'Thai Focus'. You can find a link to them on our web site The Bear's Denat the foot of the first page or on the 'Links' page.

[cutethaigirl]

I was trying to imagine the testing of Porn before purchase ..In the street? 

Open the pretty wrapper and inside probably NOT the same:-)

Yes over the bridge in Tachilek, the directions will work better that way

Have fun and pm if you get a surplus.

Linkin Park in Texas..Hint

ct

[Lordfoul]

Open the pretty wrapper and inside probably NOT the same:-)

Something like that happend to me at Tha Pae gate ... er nevermind ...

Another very cheap place to get DVDs is Jinghong .. Roundtrip ticket from Thai Airways is just 4000BT. An acquaintance of mine just came back from there, he said the DVDs were 30BT a each.

/SM

[Sojourner]

A few weeks ago I was in Khon Kaen and happened by the Kosa Mall. There was a booth selling pirate software, DVD's and porn VCD's. What caught my eye was a stack of CD cover sheets for MP3 CD's. I bought a number of them and was lucky enough that all but one plays well and on anything that plays MP3's. I'm hooked now and want to buy more. My problem is that I cannot find a shop here in Chiang Mai selling them. It's like hush hush to even bring the subject up when I asked the DVD shops in the night bazaar and at Computer Plaza.

Does anyone know of a place in CM that sells MP3's. Shhh, I can keep a secret.

[cutethaigirl]

Delete dvs and software from the heading of this topic and insert MP3's.

Re-read from the start and you will have your answer:-)

[p1p]

MP3 Upstairs Com Plaza. You must ask for the printed lists & it helps to speak Thai. (However, be aware they may not serve you if they do not know you.)

The authorities are coming down much harder on MP3 than DVDs or VCDs because so many of those on sale are compilations of Thai artists. Grammy & other big supporters of Thai Ruk Thai object to this, hense the crackdown.

[Lordfoul]

The authorities are coming down much harder on MP3 than DVDs or VCDs because so many of those on sale are compilations of Thai artists. Grammy & other big supporters of Thai Ruk Thai object to this, hense the crackdown.

In addition to that many of the Big players in Music (such as Sony) have a corporate presence in Thailand, whereas the big players in Movies (such as Sony) don't.

/SM