Netflix comes to Thailand

I choose GoodFellas as a test and got recommendations based on that.

Netflix, the popular U.S.-based video-on-demand service, made the surprise announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in the Las Vegas yesterday that it had added 130 countries to its roster overnight, including Thailand.

Plans are 280 baht per month for standard service, which gives you one screen in non-HD format; 350 baht with HD and the ability to stream on two devices and 420 baht for Ultra HD on four devices.

With the Netflix app automatically appearing in my smart TV's menu, I went with the standard plan and it looks fine.

The Netflix Thailand selection appears extremely limited, compared to the U.S. version. For example, there are no Thai films that I can find, presumably because the rights to Thai films are already tied up by other broadcasters in Thailand.

There are also no Thai subtitles, and all the menus are in English, a fact that has to have a lot of expats in Thailand feeling smug.

The popular Netflix series House of Cards is not available yet in Thailand, again likely due to the territorial rights to House of Cards being held by someone else. So no FU for me and you, for now.

There are several other decent series to choose from. For example, the Netflix series Marvel's Jessica Jones is there, as is Daredevil. And Better Call Saul is there. I recommend that. And Gotham.

After staring at the menu for far too long, I picked GoodFellas, and was pleased to find there was none of the type of censorship you see on Thai television, with the blurring of cigarettes, liquor bottles and guns. Also, no bleeping censorship of language. The content. so far as I've seen, appears as it was intended.

Anyway, I took the service for a spin late last night, and live-tweeted the event at both my regular wisekwai twitter and my new TVKwai twitter. Read on for more about my first Netflix experience.

Probably not the best idea, but I'm going to try #NetflixTHAILAND Seems it is not possible to use the keyboard w/SmartTV app. Pain!

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Oh, but you better believe the number pad on your remote can be used to input the credit card number. #NetflixTHAILAND

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

So #NetflixTHAILAND – all in English, mind you – asks you to pick 3 things to "personalize" the experience.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

My #NetflixTHAILAND picks: 1. Narcos – Wow 2. Suits – Never seen but, you know, Gina Torres 3. Beasts of No Nation – Want desperately to see

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Now I'm just staring at a #NetflixTHAILAND menu, not actually watching anything. How many of you "Netflix & Chill" people do that?

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Here are #NetflixTHAILAND shows I love: Better Call Saul Peaky Blinders Master of None Brooklyn Nine-Nine Orange Is the New Black

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

#NetflixTHAILAND is just super! Gotham Arrow Jessica Jones Daredevil Love these shows to bits. Especially Gotham.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

They are all "Western TV dramas" on #NetflixTHAILAND Otherwise known as TV. Just like food in Thailand is just food.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Other #NetflixTHAILAND categories: Oscar-winning movies – Is Training Day censored?

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Other #NetflixTHAILAND categories: TV Thrillers – Residue seems to describe it.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Other #NetflixTHAILAND categories: More Like Suits – Inception. Look Suits, you had me at Gina Torres. Don't try so hard.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Other #NetflixTHAILAND categories: More like Narcos – GoodFellas I just pressed play! Cue the trunk shot. Appears in the right aspect.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Liquor bottles, smoking and guns don't seem to be an issue on #NetflixTHAILAND as they are on Thai TV. GoodFellas is a good censorship test

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

Also. Language! Mama Scorsese would not be pleased. So much swearing in GoodFellas on #NetflixTHAILAND and not a bleep or bloop to be heard.

— WiseKwaiTV (@TVKwai) January 7, 2016

"I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you?" Locked into GoodFellas now. Will explore more #NetflixTHAILAND later

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

So, just to recap: #NetflixTHAILAND is a thing. If you have a SmartTV, the app for the service should automatically appear. And off you go.

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

You know, I recreate the GoodFellas Copa tracking shot, each weekend through the backdoor of Scala #BangkokCinemas #NetflixTHAILAND

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

"No more shines, Billy." Went w/280bt plan. 1st month free. Limited to one screen and isn't HD. But looks fine #NetflixTHAILAND

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

"And now I have to turn my back on you. There is no other way." Now watching Suits. And there's Gina Torres, in a suit! #NetflixTHAILAND

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016

#NetflixTHAILAND category: Because I Watched GoodFellas – Know all in top row by heart except Cocaine Cowboys pic.twitter.com/2STraOLd8W

— wisekwai (@wisekwai) January 7, 2016