16-2-2024 (BANGKOK) In a major crackdown on film piracy, the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) conducted raids on four locations in Bangkok and two other provinces connected to a long-standing pirated film broadcasting website. The website, siambit.com, has been operational for nearly two decades and has caused approximately one billion baht in losses to movie agents.
Pol Maj Gen Phutthidet Boonkrapheu, commander of the ECD, announced on Friday that officers raided two locations in Bangkok and one each in Surin and Surat Thani in an effort to dismantle the piracy networks streaming pirated films through siambit.com. The raids were initiated following numerous complaints from movie agents regarding the streaming of pirated films on the website.
The investigation conducted by the ECD revealed that the website was operated by a well-organized piracy network. To gather evidence, officers were dispatched, leading to the discovery of the network’s operations. Subsequently, the investigation team sought approval from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court to issue search warrants for the four targeted premises.
Initially, siambit.com provided free film streaming services but later started charging membership fees. Over its 18-year existence since 2006, the website garnered more than 100,000 members and distributed over 50,000 films, resulting in losses exceeding one billion baht for film agents, according to Pol Maj Gen Phutthidet.
The investigation also revealed that the piracy network had approximately 60 million baht in circulation.
During the raids, law enforcement seized nine bank accounts, two ATM cards, 29 computer hard disk drives, three computers, one tablet, two mobile phones, 33 memory cards, and numerous flash drives. The investigation is ongoing to hold those responsible for the operation of the film piracy network accountable.
Pol Maj Gen Phutthidet clarified that no charges have been filed against anyone at this point in the investigation. The authorities are diligently working to gather evidence and ensure a thorough legal process.
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