Did you know that Youtube wasn’t actually fully “launched” in Thailand until this month?
It’s true. Despite being one of the most Youtube-crazy countries in the world, the video-streaming platform was not fully supported with a localized website and presence.
That’s all changed now with the introduction of Youtube.co.th, which is officially launching today in an event at Siam Paragon.
What does this mean? First of all, the best Thai video creators on the platform will be invited to join the Youtube Partner Program, for which they receive promotion and access to special Youtube features. (Full disclosure: Coconuts TV is an official Youtube Partner. Subscribe here!)
Secondly, pop-up and pre-roll advertisements will now be shown on Youtube within Thailand, whereas previously it was ad-free. With this move, Youtube will look to capitalize on Thailand’s growing online video advertising market.
Google, which owns Youtube, has never made a statement on why it’s taken so long to launch Youtube in Thailand, but the country’s controversial lèse majesté law could have something to do with it.
At the request of the Thai government, Google has previously disallowed videos deemed insulting to the monarchy to be viewed within the country.
