Thailand blocks YouTube for clip mocking king
By Slimy, 04 April 2007 - 15:04 56 comments
Thailand's military-appointed government has blocked access to on-line video-sharing Web site YouTube after owner Google Incorporated declined to withdraw a video clip mocking the country's revered monarch. Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom ordered a block of the entire site from Thailand after the ministry's attempts to get the offending page removed last week failed. "Since Google has rejected our repeated requests to withdraw the clip, we can't help blocking the entire site in Thailand. When they decide to withdraw the clip, we will withdraw the ban," said professor Sitthichai.
YouTube, which has dominated the user-generated on-line video market since it was founded in February last year, carried a 44-second clip ridiculing King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning monarch. The sender of the clip, seen more than 16,000 times, was named "paddidda" and has been rudely attacked by most of 99 comments, according to the Web site. Sitthichai said YouTube had told Thai officials it did not find the clip offensive so turned down the request to remove it. The most offensive to Thai Buddhists was the juxtaposition of a pair of woman's feet, the lowest part of the body, above his head, the highest part of the body. Criticizing or offending royalty is a crime in Thailand. Those guilty of 'lese majeste' can be jailed for up to 15 years. The coup leaders and the appointed government deny muzzling free speech.
News source: MSNBC
Comments (56)
jordanspringer - 04 April 2007 - 15:20
haha that video is so dumb too, some people are such babies... get over it, could you imagine if bush got offended when someone made fun of him?!
hornett - 04 April 2007 - 15:41
Comparing a dubiously elected simpleton to the longest reigning monarch in the world is a bit much...
Remember that they still stand up for the national anthem before films, and have big posters of the King all over the city.
xendrome - 04 April 2007 - 16:41
Comparing a dubiously elected simpleton to the longest reigning monarch in the world is a bit much...
Remember that they still stand up for the national anthem before films, and have big posters of the King all over the city.
Just because you do something longer then anyone else doesn't make you the best... I am assuming from the comments that you approve of government censorship in media content and your everyday life...
And the people are probably in fear if they don't stand up for the national ahthem, they will end up in some rat infested prison, and their family will never see them again. Thats what makes a lot of the Democratic/Republic countries great... I can take a sh*t during the national anthem, and not have to worry about being put in prison....
That country, and you.. need to learn about humor, satire, and jokes...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jokes
+Smigit - 04 April 2007 - 17:28
kyro - 04 April 2007 - 22:24
Allow me to be the first to say... " Bingooo "
ricknl - 04 April 2007 - 23:34
Phiberoptik, I don't see any link between being democratic and republic. The UK, The Netherlands, Belgium etc are all monarchies whereas Iran is a republic. Now you decide if there is a link...
Blank Earth - 05 April 2007 - 03:50
WTF are you talking about Iran for? I didnt' even see it mentioned in the above comments or the article. And Iran is technically a republic, but it is more a theocracy than anything else.
+Smigit - 04 April 2007 - 15:21
8-n-1 - 04 April 2007 - 16:06
Some might say the same thing about many Americans' response to burning the American flag.
+Smigit - 04 April 2007 - 16:39
Well I tend to agree somewhat although I dont think burning a flag is on the same level of making fun of someone.
But yeah I'm not American and really I'm not patriotic enough to get upset if people decide to burn a flag, mine or otherwise. If they dont like a country or what it stands for thats their business.
jameswjrose - 04 April 2007 - 16:39
I live in the US... and couldnt agree more.
Sad thing is, the correct/respectful way to dispose of flag is to burn it.
Some people get SO upset over words... it's SO funny and sad at the same time
The_Decryptor - 04 April 2007 - 15:47
Well, i inferred the king wears womens underwear in the comments for the video, so my work here is done.
And the video is silly, it's something i'd expect from a 5th grader, they are going nuts over nothing.
kyro - 04 April 2007 - 22:25
And the video is silly, it's something i'd expect from a 5th grader, they are going nuts over nothing.
muwahahahaah... do it do it.. ( in ben stiller's voice)
SacrificialSoldier - 04 April 2007 - 15:51
Link to movie
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4SRyffEbJ50
Cant they banned youtube because of that!
+Smigit - 04 April 2007 - 17:25
My god this is soooo funny. The Video stinks. SO someone drew some poka dots on his face big deal.
kyro - 04 April 2007 - 22:26
agree , it stinks..
Remember a long series of photoshops of some fat chinese kid , in posters of "Titanic" and all famous movies.
Someone should do something like that..... and better
GamblerFEXonlin - 05 April 2007 - 06:18
Remember a long series of photoshops of some fat chinese kid , in posters of "Titanic" and all famous movies.
Someone should do something like that..... and better :D
I thought it was so badly done and stupid with the transitional effects, and the end with the evaluation notice was just genious.
raskren - 04 April 2007 - 16:07
Proud to be an American! Yay for freedom!
/me runs to watch George W. Bush videos on YouTube.
+NienorGT - 04 April 2007 - 17:26
I would love see U.S banning YouTube for that
spacer - 04 April 2007 - 18:38
If Bush banned everything on the internet that made fun of him, all we'd have left would be empty "tubes".