Lateral photovoltaic (LPV) effects are observed in Bi2Sr2Co2Oy (BSCO) thin films. Upon illumination of a 532-nm constant laser, the lateral photovoltage is observed to vary linearly with the laser position between two electrodes on the film surface, and the position sensitivity can be enhanced by coating a layer of graphite on the surface of the BSCO film as a light absorber. Results suggest that the LPV effect in the thin film is independent of the photo-generated carriers but originates from thermoelectric effects. The present work demonstrates a potential application of BSCO films in position-sensitive photo (thermal) detectors.