14 DAY TRIAL // YouTube has introduced a localized version of its site specifically made for Thailand users. Along with the new site, the company has also launched its YouTube Partner program in the country.
This should allow the company to engage in a more closely knitted relationship with local content producers and to help bring their work to attention throughout the country, as well as the rest of the world.
Local advertisers will also get the chance to better distribute their content on YouTube.co.th, which should also offer them better chances at getting new customers.
“With millions of hours of YouTube being watched in Thailand every day, one thing is clear: Thais love YouTube. And they aren’t just tuning in to the site to watch videos and be entertained — already we’re seeing how Thai content creators, whether they be musicians or online talk show hosts, are using the platform to create unique Thai content,” starts off the announcement.
“This is why we’re happy to bring viewers and creators in Thailand a new and enhanced experience on YouTube with the introduction of a fully localized platform on www.youtube.co.th,” says Ariya Banamyong, leader of Yahoo’s Thai wing.
She also shared a little glimpse of what will soon go under the spotlight on the new localized site by sharing videos from several content producers, such as VRZO, which discusses topics that upset Thai youth in street interviews. A local band also got promoted in the blog post, as well as a beauty “how-to guru” who will teach everyone how to use makeup to achieve different looks.
“This is just a glimpse of what’s to come. Today we’re officially opening up the YouTube Partner Program to Thais, which means anyone uploading original content from Thailand can apply to become a partner and start earning revenue from their videos,” Banomyong writes.
The company hopes that this will encourage more Thai talent to come forward and share their content with the world on YouTube, now that the company has provided the localized site.
Thailand hasn’t been the easiest market for YouTube due to an agreement between Google and the local government regarding the blocking of some videos that infringe local laws regarding the defamation of the royal family.
Since Google and, by extension, YouTube, are no fans of censorship and have fought the world’s governments many times over, the creation of this new site might cause even more problems between the companies and the Thai leaders.