Chiang Mai, Thailand – The Communication Authority of Thailand has ordered the closure of access to the YouTube website because the video-uploading site featured content critical of the country’s highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 79.
When this citizen reporter tried to access the You Tube website in Thailand’s Northern city of Chiang Mai, the following message popped out: Sorry, The web site you are accessing has been blocked by the request of The Communication Authority of Thailand.
Every user that tries to connect to website is redirected this message from the Ministry of Communication and Technology (MICT), an organization responsible for online content
Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said access to the site was blocked because the website featured material that denigrated the King.
According to media reports, the 44-second video clip featured on the website showed someone placing their feet on the King’s portrait. To Thais, this is culturally insensitive, first because feet are regarded as dirty, and second, the King is held in high esteem.
To place your feet on the monarch’s face is therefore a major offense.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the ninth ruler of the Chakri Dynasty in Thailand, and the world’s longest reigning monarch is highly revered in this country up to the point of sainthood.
No one commands as much deep love and respect among the Thai people as the King. As a matter of fact, the King remains a hidden but stabilizing factor of the country’s tumultuous politic scene.
"In Thailand, you don’t play with the monarch, especially with your feet," said Ponchanit Kumput, a local resident. "You do it at your own peril."
According to Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, his government had been in touch with Google, and ask them to remove the 44-second film but with no success.
"It will be back again, things like this always happen," said Jay Nitton, a Thai citizen who regulalrly uploads videos onto YouTube. "There will so much criticism that they will bring back the service."
Last month a Swiss man was jailed for 10 years in Thailand for spray-painting on portraits of the King.
YouTube was also recently banned in Turkey because the video service published numerous videos that insulted the country’s residents.
Brazil also banned YouTube for featuring clips of famous’ footballer Ronaldo’s wife, Daniela Cicarelli, who sued Google for uploading the clips without her authorization.
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