Thailand Police Crackdown on Companies Using Pirated Software

Given that Thailand is regularly referred to as 'Land of Fakes', it comes as no surprise that the general attitude of many Thai people is that using pirated goods is no big deal.

But now, many companies using pirated software have come face to face with a nasty shock, with Thai police's Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) performing raids on those they suspect of using pirated software.

Beware of the pirates! Image Credit: Nicholas Raymond (Flickr)

The ECSD is now prosecuting over 150 businesses for using the illegitamate software.

It's thought that some firms may be unaware that the software they are using is pirated, unfortunately ignorance does not save them from the strong hand of the law.

Business lawyers in Thailand Chaninat and Leeds have decades of experience helping companies succeed in Thailand.

They face fines of between 20,000 - 200,000 baht for violating Section 69 of Thailand's Copyright Act.

It is in a company's best interests to use legitamate software. Pirated versions frequently have privacy gaps that make them vulnerable to hacks and information leaks which can be used by anyone wanting to exploit them.

For more on this story see here. 

Indian Princess' Millions Ruled in Supreme Court

A well-loved Indian aristocrat's millions have been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle since her 2009 death, this week the Supreme Court in New Delhi ruled in favor of her grandchildren.

Image Credit: Ramesh Thakhur (Flickr)

 

As Indian Express reports, Gayatri Devi's will stated that her assets were to go to her grandchildren Devraj Singh and Lalitya Kumari, however her other step children came forward claiming they were rightful heirs too.

Gayatri Devi, also known as Maharani of Jaipur, was a celebrated beauty who lived in palaces, traveled the world in private jets and wined and dined with world leaders. 

Her glamorous lifestyle was part of the system of "princely states" that was largely dismantled following India's independence from Britain in 1947, however parts of the Jaipur estate remain intact. 

Her assets are thought to be worth between $200,000 and $400,000.  Her fortune as well as two Jaipur palaces have been involved in the "acrimonious showdown" between her grandchildren and stepchildren.   

The Indian Supreme Court ruled that her will was "beyond any dispute."

“beyond any dispute”

“beyond any dispute”

“beyond any dispute”

See the full story here.

Secret Brothel Uncovered in Cambodian Coffee Shop

A raid at a Phnom Penh coffee shop has uncovered a lot more than a few lacklustre cappuccino's. 

The couple running the coffee shop are allegedly offering prostitution services at the site in the Cambodian capital’s Meanchey district, reports Phnom PenhPost.  The couple were charged on Monday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on the alleged charges.

Credit: waferboard (Flickr)

The couple are thought to have worked as pimps for six prostitutes, with one as young as 17.

The suspects are Duong Lim, 60, and his wife, Pham Thi Hieng, 38, both Vietnamese nationals.  

Major Sok Kimsreng, an officer with the Ministry of Interior’s anti-human trafficking police said: 

  “They allowed girls who worked in their coffee shop to have sex with their clients in exchange for getting a commission from them […] If found guilty, they will be punished with up to five years’ imprisonment each.” 

   

Divorce attorneys in Thailand Chaninat and Leeds are experts in successfully arranging divorces on behalf of their clients.

  The couple were arrested following a raid of the coffee shop, and the six sex workers were sent to a municipal rehabilitation center. 

Read more on this story here.

Prostitution has been a much debated topic in recent weeks, due to Amnesty International’s vote in favor of decriminalizing the sex industry.  The decision caused fury among many, but those in favor of the vote say it will work to protect the rights of women who work in the much stigmatized sex trade.The Amnesty vote is not a law in itself, but the organizations sway may influence governments to share their opinion, eventually leading to changes in legislation.

Related: Sex andprostitution laws in Thailand.

Tougher Stance on Child Porn Laws in Thailand

Harsher punishments will come into effect this December for anyone found in possession of child pornography, the Bangkok Post has reported.

A section of the Thai Criminal Code regarding the possession, distribution and any gain from such activity has been amended.  The amendment in law will be enforced in December.

Credit: Japanexperterna.se (Flickr)

 Longer prison terms and hefty fines will be given to anyone possessing or distributing pornographic materials of children and minors under the age of 18.

This comes following Thailand’s signing of the International Convention on Children's Rights. 

Anyone found in possession of visual images, whether static or in motion, depicting acts if a sexual nature involving minors will be considered an offender.

Those found in possession  will face up to five years behind bars and a maximum fine of 100,000 baht ($2,774.) 

Anyone distributing the materials, including forwarding images on the smartphone app 'Line' may get a jail term of seven years and a fine up to 140,000 baht. 

For more on this story, see here and here.

Related report:  Indecency on the internet is a challenge to Thai law. 

Related story: India’s Shock Pornography Crackdown.