Thailand Blocks YouTube Access

Apr 05, 08:29 PM

Current Headlines: The Thai government blocked access to YouTube on Wednesday after complaining that a short clip on the popular video-sharing site is insulting to the country's monarch.

Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the country's minister of information and technology, said YouTube had turned down his request to remove the contentious 44-second video, which shows 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 taboo in a culture where feet are considered dirty and offensive.

"We are disappointed that YouTube has been blocked in Thailand, and we are currently looking into the matter," said Julie Supan, a spokeswoman for Google Inc.'s YouTube.

According to Sitthichai, thousands of people have called the government to complain about the YouTube video.

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