Thai Commerce Ministry May Order Music Companies to Lower CD Prices.

Byline: Phusadee Arunmas

Jul. 8--Amid efforts to cut down on piracy, the Commerce Ministry has threatened to order music companies to declare their costs if they fail to reduce their prices of music CDs and tapes to a satisfactory rate.

According to Deputy Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook, the ministry has circulated letters, requesting the music companies -- both local and foreign -- to reduce prices to help ensure the success of the government's stepped-up crackdown on pirated goods.

Mr Watana, who yesterday met with the copyright owners of music, movies and trademarks, said representatives of foreign music firms in Thailand had agreed on the ministry's proposal to cut the price of foreign music CDs to 250 baht from the current 400 baht.

He said local music companies had been asked to submit their price reduction details next week, with a conclusion likely early next month.

"The ministry has yet to make any order for those music companies to declare costs under the Prices of Goods and Services Act of 1999, as the music copyright owners themselves are willing to reduce the prices," said Mr Watana. "However, if their price reductions are not satisfactory, the ministry may order them to declare costs later on."

Earlier, Mr Watana said the prices of local music CDs should be about 80-90 baht compared with the 125-130 baht currently charged.