Software piracy has been a major problem in Thailand for year. It has caused not only a high price of licensed software, but also unavailability of the pirated software in the market. Moreover, it has caused the policy to strengthen and enforcement of copyright laws and the public awareness of intellectual property rights.
    National Electronics and Computer Technology Center(NECTEC), which is a statutory government organization under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology, has realized and intended to solve the problem through research and development activities on Open Source Software since 1997. The purpose is to make Open Source an alternative software, which can substitute the costly licensed software. At present, a number of software has been launched such as Linux-SIS, Linux-TLE, Office-TLE, and Lexitron. However, making public awareness of using Open Source software remains difficult. Thailand Open Source Software Festival, or TOSSFEST, has been held to promote the importance of Open Source software in Thailand.

About TOSSFEST

    Thailand Open Source Software Festival,or TOSSFEST has been held yearly since 1999 hosted by National Electronics and Computer Technology Center(NECTEC). Its goal is to publicize the importance and benefits of Open Source Software, and to strengthen the community of open source software by finding and expanding Open Source Software alliance network.

    Since 1999, TOSSFEST has been held for 6 times as the following:

    1) The 1st TOSSFEST:
    It took place on 15th July,1999 at Pathumwan Princess Hotel with 150 participants.
    2) The 2nd TOSSFEST:
    It took place on 20th-21st September, 1999 at Kasetsart University with 200 participants.
    3) The 3rd TOSSEFEST:
    It took place on 21st November, 2001 at Software Park with 361 participants.
    4) The 4th TOSSEFEST:
    It took place on 23rd March, 2002 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center with 557 participants.
    5) The 5th TOSSEFEST: Linux Application Day
    It took place on 2nd -3rd September, 2002 with 3,000 participants.
    6) The 6th TOSSEFEST: Linux Empowerment
    It took place on 10th -11th May, 2004 with 2,200 participants.

    This year will mark the 7th time it is being held.