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
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
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.
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
Allow me to be the first to say... " Bingooo "
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.
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.
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
And the video is silly, it's something i'd expect from a 5th grader, they are going nuts over nothing.
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)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4SRyffEbJ50
Cant they banned youtube because of that!
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
Last edited by kyro on 05 Apr 2007 - 00:18
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
I thought it was so badly done and stupid with the transitional effects, and the end with the evaluation notice was just genious.
/me runs to watch George W. Bush videos on YouTube.
If Bush banned everything on the internet that made fun of him, all we'd have left would be empty "tubes".
Yeah just create a bill that has "patriot" in it and no-one would dare vote against it.
Bastards.
It is natural for human beings to attribute to this leader and his power an emotional and righteous nature, a retrospective justification of their dependence. This allows the dependant to disregard his/her dependence, giving further absolute justification to the unifying righteousness of that which the dependant depends upon – ultimately removing ambiguity from a defined belief or set of beliefs revolving around an idolized object.
When that object is then challenged, ambiguity is returned by means of providing a possibility that the “independent” justification may not be the motivation. People react to this with confusion, frustration, and anger, usually as a means to belittle and remove the opposition – removing ambiguity once again.
The King is a human being, surrounded by human beings. He deserves respect. The reactions I’ve seen on youtube are personal defenses, not defenses of the King – this does not show respect for the King, it shows idolatry of him. And it shows personal insecurity, more than national pride.
and try to see how many videos are there On internet regarding george bush and joke or funny.
and try to see how many videos are there On internet regarding george bush and joke or funny.
George Bush promotes a different image, to a different culture. If you genuinely and distastefully disrespect George Bush infront of someone who idolizes the guy, you will most likely get a similar reaction to half of what you saw in the comments on youtube.
Oh. That's most definitely how I meant it! Thanks for saying it better than I ever could
That said bush has been made fun of so much that I dont think its all that funny anymore. Hes a cheap target now. Theres probably hundreds of other incompetent people to make fun of...without naming anyone in particular perhaps you could look at the leaders of other countries...say Thailand.
its ms paint drawn on the face of the king LOL
we should have a real photoshop this guy thread
The video was childish (and a joke of creativity). But it was also in poor taste and disrespectful.
Before you knock the idelogy of a nation and its culture, perhaps you should take the time to understand it first. Western "democracy" is not all you want to think it is.
You apparently have no idea what you are talking about. In the UK, US, etc. people make fun of the heads of state all the time, even on television and nobody freaks out, threatens war or goes to jail over it. It's called freedom of speech. When you figure out what censorship actually is get back to us.
You apparently have no idea what you are talking about. In the UK, US, etc. people make fun of the heads of state all the time, even on television and nobody freaks out, threatens war or goes to jail over it. It's called freedom of speech. When you figure out what censorship actually is get back to us.
+1
LOL. I probably have a better idea than you. You see censorship as simply someone making fun of a head of state? It is outright laughable if you believe the UK, US (or any of your etc.) is providing for your freedom of speech.
Troll? No. If comparing my few posts to your numerous, on this site, makes me a troll to you -- so be it. I just do not spend my days posting on sites. If you want to label me so be it. It would appear (do not mean to label you) that you fall into the very group of Internet users that explempify why I do not actively participate in such conversations. I have an uncommon view (to you) therefore I troll.
I am not reading or commenting on this to argue with you. I just believe that most of society is blind to what is actually ocurring around it.
Have a day
Have some respect and grow up.
I can see Thai people might find it offensive, but really - a blanket ban for one video? That seems a little too far...
You're the one spewing venom here. Maybe YOU should grow up.
Last edited by TRC on 05 Apr 2007 - 01:51
So yes, despite anything great he may or may not have done I don't think any leader should be able to have laws stating that you must show respect or risk being in jail for over a decade. So while the people may respect him, you can't argue that if the laws were leanient so that they could mock him and could oppose his views then perhaps people wouldnt praise him so openly. I'm not saying they wouldnt, but theres a possability they might not.
If you've been out to Thailand, you will notice how he is loved by everyone. His photos can be seen throughout the city. Many shops hang his photos up on the walls and yellow flags (yellow represents the monarchy here) can be seen hung from many houses. The nation is filled with people wearing yellow shirts showing respect to the king. If a photo of the king's face graffiti'ed on was hung up on the streets, someone will go and tear it down within a few minutes. Once last year, hundreds of thousands of people wearing yellow shirts gathered to listen to his speech. That's how much people love him here. Plus, Thai people do not have a problem with the lese majeste laws here or feel restricted by them.
The cultures, beliefs and values of people vary throughout the world and the values of the US should not be held as the standard.
I've been to Thailand. You're right the Thais don't have a problem with their king or the lese majeste laws. But they do have a problem with almost everything else, especially foreigners and anything that could be interpreted as foreigners being critical of anything Thai, or having a laugh at Thailand's expense, whereas the Thais are quite ok with mocking foreigners themselves.
Thus the king is the supreme symbol of Thai national feeling, but the 'unwritten' prohibition against criticism of anything Thai doesn't stop there. Who doesn't remember the hilarious reaction from deposed PM ,Thaksin, when the US criticised Thailand for increasing violations of human rights. The headline was, "America is a useless friend".
And if anybody was wondering which party, almost as popular as the king, Thaksin represents, its name is, freely translated, "Thai love Thai". I think by now most people will catch the general drift.
Hence, it is not surprising to anybody 'who has been there' that Thailand once again is openly ruled by generals, and once again feels the need to censor the world.
cause they don't teach something or manner like this in westhern country any more
''Thus the king is the supreme symbol of Thai nation feeling''
right!
btw I think many ppl here want a war than share a comment
a waste of time!!!
cause they don't teach something or manner like this in westhern country any more
I repeat, I think most people will catch the general drift, even without the above demonstration of Thai national sentiment.
Nationalism - totalitarianism - racism - censorship.
Bangkok Post today: ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said the popular Ratchadamnoen web chat room was "flooded with posts compromising national security". He made the owners of discussion rooms responsible for all posts by all users Mr Sitthichai announced he has called a meeting at police headquarters on Thursday with the caretaker police chief, Pol Gen Seriphisut Temiyavej.
The subject will be how to catch and what to do with "netsurfers who post messages to create division in the country," he said.
Better rest my case before the army comes knocking on the door. . .
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