I understand why Microsoft is so scared about piracy.

I’ve just come back from one of the numerous copy shops in Bangkok, and guess what I found: Microsoft’s Windows Vista(s) (Basic, Premium and Ultimate) copied and pre-cracked… ready for installation and use!

Far from the price you have to pay to get your genuine version of Windows Vista, here you will be asked 100THB (or up to 300THB), ie. between 2 et 6€… only.

It’s crazy how easy it is to buy pirated/cracked software here (let alone movies and music). What’s even more surprising is that while in France we have a tax on hard drives to “compensate” illegal copying (even if you cry and swear that you only have legit things on it), here you won’t be charged for anything. And given the number of people coming to places like MBK Center, nobody can deny piracy is not widespread in Asia (apart from Japan, whose people often come to Thailand for DVD copies and prostitutes).

It’s interesting to know that 79% of the software in use in Thailand are pirated.

(Please note that I don’t support nor encourage piracy)