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Colonel Sarayut Pultunya, commander of the Economic and Technological Crime Suppression Division (Ecotec), said: "We're serious about putting a stop to the use of unlicensed software in businesses in Thailand.

"This is illegal and must stop. As such, we'll spare no effort to ensure that businesses within our jurisdiction adhere to the laws, with as many raids as required to bring home the message.

"So far this year, we've undertaken 18 raids on businesses using suspected pirated and unlicensed software.

"From these raids, Ecotec identified almost 700 computers on business premises containing pirated and unlicensed software, estimated to be worth Bt86 million."

The raided companies are under investigation.

Once the investigations are concluded and the evidence is compiled, police will proceed to charge them in court. If found guilty of possessing infringed copies of software programmes, the firms and their directors will have to pay fines.

A study conducted by International Data showed a 10-percentage-point reduction in software piracy would result in an economic boost for the country, including the creation of 2,100 more high-paying jobs and a Bt30-billion economic stimulus.

These figures are cited by the Intellectual Property Department as they continue to gain momentum with their recently launched "National Intellectual Property" campaign designed to increase awareness of the benefits of genuine software for productivity, security and the Thai economy in general.

BSA now offers rewards of up to Bt250,000 to anyone identifying employers who allow their staff to use unlicensed software. The reward will be given upon successful prosecution of the company.

"The BSA will continue to reward anyone offering information on businesses that use unlicensed and/or pirated software that leads to successful action by police," said BSA spokesperson Siripat Patrangul.