Thailand blocks YouTube access
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — The Thai government blocked access to the popular YouTube video website Wednesday saying a short film it features insults the country's beloved monarch.
Blocking access to YouTube was part of the military-installed government's move to shut down any websites deemed insulting to the king, and authorities will crack down on more, said Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the minister of information and technology.
Sitthichai said YouTube was blocked Wednesday morning after its owner Google turned down his request to remove the contentious Web page, which features a 44-second clip showing graffitti-like elements painted over a slideshow of photographs of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
One part of the clip juxtaposes pictures of feet over the king's image — a major cultural taboo for Thais since feet are considered extremely dirty and offensive. The soundtrack is the Thai National anthem.
"It's a serious case of lese majeste," said Sitthichai, using the official name of charges for offending the monarch. "We asked Google to remove it some days ago, but they refused to."
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