THAILAND: Bangkok blocks YouTube over Thai king video

Video showed photos of the King defaced with graffiti

Straits Times
Thursday, April 5, 2007

Bangkok --- Thailand's military-installed government has shut down many websites deemed insulting to the Thai king and will crack down on more, the information minister said yesterday.

The popular video website YouTube was also blocked late Tuesday over a provocative video that mocks revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"It's not about freedom of expression," said Mr Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the minister of information and technology, yesterday.

"People who create these (websites) are abusing their rights and clearly don't mean well for the country.

"We have closed many and will continue to," he told Associated Press.

Critics have accused the current government of shutting websites criticising the September coup that overthrew then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, Mr Sitthichai said the government is only targeting sites deemed insulting to the monarchy -- a criminal offence in Thailand.

He added that the government is also targeting pornographic sites.

YouTube was blocked after a user posted a video featuring a slide show of pictures of the king defaced with crudely drawn electronic graffiti.

The video, which has been viewed more than 6,000 times since it was posted on March 29 by a user called "Paddidda," has drawn a vitriolic response from some angry Thai users, who have demanded that it be pulled off the site.

Thai officials said Bangkok will consider lifting the ban if YouTube removes the video.

Meanwhile, the Thai military junta said political parties can hold meetings among themselves again, although a general ban on other political activities remains in place.

A military spokesman said parties will first have to get permission from the military on a case-by-case basis for the meetings.

Date Posted: 4/5/2007