UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand – Thai Economic Crime Suppression Division police have arrested a man accused of operating an illegal movie-streaming website for almost 10 years, following complaints from representatives of more than 10 major film companies. Officers from Division 1 of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, under the Central Investigation Bureau, searched the suspect’s home in Rai Noi subdistrict, Mueang district, Ubon Ratchathani, on October 30.
The suspect, identified only as Theppithak, was allegedly responsible for operating nanamovies.com, which provided unauthorised access to newly released films and popular television series for commercial purposes. Police seized computer processing equipment, desktop computers, mobile phones, laptops, hard drives and bank account books during the search. They also found computer equipment displaying the website and allowing access to its administration system.
The investigation began after authorised representatives of more than 10 film companies filed complaints over the unauthorised distribution of copyrighted movies through the website.
Investigators found that nanamovies.com began operating in early 2016 and had changed its domain extensions several times to evade detection. Further inquiries linked it to several other websites allegedly distributing copyrighted films without permission.
Police also traced connections involving servers used to store website content and financial transactions leading to the people benefiting from the operation. The suspect was allegedly involved in creating and managing at least two other illegal movie websites, receiving a percentage of their earnings in return. He faces charges under Thailand’s Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994) for commercial copyright infringement through the reproduction, adaptation and public distribution of cinematographic works. Police said the seized computers, devices and documents would undergo forensic examination as investigators continue tracing others who may have been involved in the alleged operation.
