Thailand to Sue YouTube Over Offensive Clip

Thailand plans to sue Google owned video sharing site, over a certain video clip that has offended King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said that the country has set up a committee to consider filing a criminal lawsuit, after Google rejected Thai appeals to remove controversial video clips that created a furor last month.

YouTube had published a 44 second video clip showing graffiti-like elements crudely painted over a photograph slideshow of 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej. One part of that video was juxtaposed with pictures of feet over the king’s image, which is considered a major taboo in a culture. Moreover, the Thai national anthem was used as the soundtrack for the clip. This had prompted Thailand to ban the website in the country, on April 4.

After requests from the Thai government, Google had reportedly removed the clip from their site but Sitthichai said he had not heard back from the company about his new request to remove the still photo. Sitthichai also accused Google oif ignoring Thailand’s petition because the Kingdom is a small country, while it earlier agreed to China’s request that some clips be censored. He alleged that Google cited freedom of information as the reason for not exercising censorship here but it earlier agreed to censor its website in China.

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Sitthichai said the ministry will now appoint an Internet inspector, to monitor all Internet content in the country. He said the ICT ministry has commissioned outside contractors to monitor the Internet of a 24-hour basis and Draft legislation regarding penalties for illegal computer-based activities is being drafted by the National Legislative Assembly in Thailand.