Thailand flooded with pirated XP

Thai computer users are buying thousands of pirated copies of Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system a week ahead of its official launch in Thailand, vendors revealed.

Shops in Bangkok said pirates had found ways of getting around the new operating system's security features.

"We've had XP Professional for three weeks and it's selling very well. We sell around 200 copies a day," one anonymous shop owner said.

Hundreds of copies were on display at a price equivalent to £1.85. Licensed home and office versions can cost hundreds of pounds.

With the official launch of Microsoft XP in Thailand scheduled for November 17, company officials were angry that pirates had found ways to circumvent the system's new security features.

Thai police regularly crack down on software piracy, raiding shops selling unauthorised goods and crushing illegal products with steamrollers or even with elephants in public ceremonies. But officials admit they face an uphill task in a country where it is often easier to pass a law than enforce it.