As the consumption of online content continues to rise and the internet becomes more prominent in everyday life, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) urges parents to teach their children to respect creative work to prevent copyright infringements.
“Copyright infringement of films and series in Thailand remains an ongoing issue, evolving from the practice of copying CDs to the current widespread online piracy,” said Ratchapruk Choodam, deputy director of the Bureau of Technology and Cyber Crime at the DSI.
With the growth of internet usage, online piracy has intensified. The DSI also identified illegal IPTV services rebroadcasting content from licensed TV providers, and subscription-based movie websites operating without permission.
Many of these illegal websites also promote online gambling, which is a criminal offence, Mr Ratchapruk said at “Thailand’s Success Stories”, an event organised by the Motion Picture Association (Asia-Pacific).
He said as Thai films gain in popularity, the rate of piracy for these films has also risen.
Last month, the DSI took action against an illegal streaming site, INWIPTV, which rebroadcast an IP programme and streamed content illegally, resulting in estimated losses of hundreds of millions of baht.
Mr Ratchapruk said tackling copyright violations also helps track illegal income and potential money laundering activities.
“We’re intensifying anti-money laundering measures to seize assets from offenders. This will make it increasingly difficult for these illegal sites to reappear,” he said.
According to the Office of the US Trade Representative’s 2025 Special 301 Report, Thailand is on the Watch List, alongside 17 other countries.
Mr Ratchapruk said parents should teach their children to respect intellectual property. If piracy continues, the industry cannot survive.