(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Thai government has blocked the video-sharing site, YouTube, following failed attempts to have the website take down a clip ridiculing the country’s much revered king, reported the international news agency Reuters on 4 April 2007. YouTube owner Google Inc. has refused the Thai government’s request to remove the controversial video, prompting the […]
(SEAPA/IFEX) – The Thai government has blocked the video-sharing site, YouTube, following failed attempts to have the website take down a clip ridiculing the country’s much revered king, reported the international news agency Reuters on 4 April 2007.
YouTube owner Google Inc. has refused the Thai government’s request to remove the controversial video, prompting the drastic action by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry (ICT).
“When they decide to withdraw the clip, we will withdraw the ban,” said ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, who recently warned that, as empowered by the junta, the ministry will block websites deemed pornographic, offensive to the monarchy or a danger to national security.
The 44-second clip consists of a series of altered images of the king – the most offensive being the juxtaposition of a pair of woman’s feet, the lowest part of the body to Thai Buddhists, above his head, the highest part of the body, Reuters reports. The video has been viewed 16,000 times, generating rude attacks on the sender of the clip, according to Reuters.
Internet users claim that this is not the first time YouTube has been blocked. According to the independent online daily Prachathai.com, YouTube was inaccessible to some users on 10 January, but the reasons and source of blockage were unclear. A second blockage, on 9 March, again saw all relevant authorities denying responsibility.
While lèse majesté (injury to the majesty) is a culturally sensitive matter in Thailand, SEAPA views the blocking of the whole site – which is used by thousands in Thailand to express ideas and exchange information – with serious concern. Thais are now deprived of a popular and accessible medium that can accommodate alternative and independent voices. Beyond this, there is a growing spectre of intolerance towards web-based media as a whole. The Internet is vulnerable in Thailand, and not just when it comes to material pertaining to the king.
The recent blocking of the political websites SaturdayVoice ( http://www.saturdayvoice.com ) and Hi-Thaksin ( http://www.hi-thaksin.net ) betrays an aversion to political content and commentary, and illustrates the slippery slope down which the government is sliding.
SaturdayVoice was set up by anti-coup activists who are collecting signatures for a petition to the king to remove Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda as president of the Privy Council. The ruling junta has deemed their quest “inappropriate”, saying the appointment was by royal command, and has directed the police to look into the legality of their action.
The Hi-Thaksin website, which was propagating video messages from the deposed prime minister before it was blocked, has since found a new domain that remains accessible for now.
