YouTube now blocked in Thailand
Google’s video sharing service YouTube continues to get banned for various reasons in countries around the world. The latest news in is that now Thai government has blocked access to the video sharing service after the owner Google decided against removing a video clip hosted on the service mocking the country’s monarch.
Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said in a statement that he has given the order to block access to the complete service. They had tried to block access to the offending video but failed in their efforts.
He added: “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.”
YouTube representatives had responded that they did not find the clip offensive in anyway so they had refused to comply with the removal request by the Thai government.
|
TechWhack on Facebook
|
April 4th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
I haven’t seen the clip. But I have read a description. That is enough to make me agree that it ought to be removed and banned.
It was a deliberate attempt to inflame passions, in a country in which web access is remarkably prevalent. Worse than shouting FIRE in a theatre IMHO.
Had this got widely circulated, the Thai King, effectively humiliated all over the planet, in the crudest way possible, it could have led to bloodshed. (I’m serious).
The King of Thailand is (IMHO rightly) loved and considered as an enlightened living Buddha. (I’m not Thai, I only live here!).
Google have made a Big Mistake.
April 6th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Mocking a most-revered King and living Buddha shows a lack of courtesy and disrespect.
How pitiful for Google. I have since decided to use the AltaVista search engine instead…it works beautifully!