General
notes: We believe these sought after EPs were originally issued in Thailand during
1978, although some collectors say 1977. Each EP features four different artists.
The counterfeit
pressings originate from Sweden and surfaced in March 2005. Update.
In September 2006, all three EPs appeared for sale in blue, green, red, and yellow
vinyl. Background
to Thailand vinyl releases. The
covers of nearly all existing original Thai EPs are in poor condition. The reason
is simple; local weather conditions with high levels of moisture. Its easier
to find records from the 1960s in good condition in South Asia than those issued
in the 70's and 80's, because 60's sleeves/covers were made with a harder &
varnished cutboard. The 70's & 80's covers were nearly all cheaper. Asian
countries sold counterfeit or pirate records for two reasons. 1.
Foreign record companies could not stock their own products on site due to the
weather damage. 2. As well as the hard weather, foreign record companies did
not want to deal with local Thai companies. It was purely a question of business,
there was not enough money to be made. A full time job is paid £10 per month
in 2006, but 20 to 30 years ago it was 10 times less. In the 70s & 80s
no one in Thailand could afford to buy an official Sex Pistols single, retailing
around £1. However, Thai record manufacturers could provide low price counterfeit
records for local fans. The EP format was a good way to provide cheap compilations
with 4 different artists each time. |