Thai Authorities Shut Down Long-Running Illegal Movie Streaming Site
Police have arrested a man in Ubon Ratchathani for operating an illegal movie streaming website that had been active for nearly a decade.
On October 30, 2026, officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the Central Investigation Bureau raided a residence in Ubon Ratchathani, arresting a man identified as Theppithak. The operation followed complaints from representatives of over ten major film studios regarding the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content. The suspect is accused of operating an illegal movie streaming website for nearly ten years, which provided access to newly released films and popular series. During the raid, authorities seized various items, including computers, mobile phones, hard drives, and bank books, as evidence. The suspect faces charges under the Copyright Act of 1994 for infringing on intellectual property rights for commercial gain through the reproduction and public distribution of films. For residents and travelers, this case highlights the Thai government's ongoing commitment to enforcing intellectual property laws and cracking down on digital piracy. While the arrest marks the end of this specific platform, it remains to be confirmed how many other similar sites are currently under investigation or if further arrests are expected as part of this broader crackdown. The legal proceedings against the suspect are currently ongoing.
