YouTube still banned in Thailand
I am trying to upload to YouTube but the site is still blocked in Thailand over a controversy involving videos offending the king.
Behind all the apparent good intentions of the military junta (supposedly acting to oust a corrupted government), some disturbing things are slowly “dragging the country down” in the words of some Thai citizens I spoke to. Censorship is making a strong come back, the junta is reportedly planning large scale media manipulations to demonize former prime minister Thaksin against whom corruption charges are hard to find. And the new government is endangering previous efforts to turn Thailand into a Knowledge-Based Society by 2015 by cutting subventions to institutions like incubators or art centers.
Overall, there is a quietly pessimistic atmosphere over the country’s future, a shame for such a beautiful, young and full of potential nation.
Update: Welcome boing boing readers. Thanks Xeni!
Update 2: Thailand to sue YouTube over king clips
April 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
A video on YouTube threatening the U.S. president would be illegal and immediately removed, no doubt about it. A video on YouTube defaming the King of Thailand is illegal (in Thailand) and certainly the law is going to be invoked to prevent it from being aired. Since YouTube selectively observes the laws feels it should, i.e. those of the U.S., they won’t remove an illegal video. Hence the block.
The les majesty laws were around long before the junta ousted Thaksin. The vast majority of Thais support these laws.
You’re grinding your axe on the wrong stone trying to discredit the junta based on this issue.
April 24th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
A video on YouTube threatening the U.S. president would be illegal and immediately removed, no doubt about it. A video on YouTube defaming the King of Thailand is illegal (in Thailand) and certainly the law is going to be invoked to prevent it from being aired. Since YouTube selectively observes the laws feels it should, i.e. those of the U.S., they won’t remove an illegal video. Hence the block.
The les majesty laws were around long before the junta ousted Thaksin. The vast majority of Thais support these laws.
You’re grinding your axe on the wrong stone trying to discredit the junta based on this issue.
April 24th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I understand and respect the fact that defaming the king is a criminal offense (and was quite surprised when the king pardoned Oliver Jufer ).
What I am questioning is the junta apparent global maneuvers to control the media. In my eyes banning youtube is in fact the least disturbing thing they have done as it is absolutely useless (videos are probably popping up 10 times more now on other services like google video, vpod, dailymotion, etc…).
Btw, the king himself is reportedly questioning these lese majesty laws:
“Despite the strict enforcement of the laws against insulting him, the king has at times appeared to indicate that he was willing to allow greater public discussion and even criticism. ‘I can be criticised that sometimes I might be wrong, so that I will know I am wrong,’ he said on his birthday in 2005.”
Channel news asia
April 24th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I understand and respect the fact that defaming the king is a criminal offense (and was quite surprised when the king pardoned Oliver Jufer ).
What I am questioning is the junta apparent global maneuvers to control the media. In my eyes banning youtube is in fact the least disturbing thing they have done as it is absolutely useless (videos are probably popping up 10 times more now on other services like google video, vpod, dailymotion, etc…).
Btw, the king himself is reportedly questioning these lese majesty laws:
“Despite the strict enforcement of the laws against insulting him, the king has at times appeared to indicate that he was willing to allow greater public discussion and even criticism. ‘I can be criticised that sometimes I might be wrong, so that I will know I am wrong,’ he said on his birthday in 2005.”
Channel news asia
May 5th, 2007 at 5:11 am
I can’t believe that You Tube is still being banned. It must be over 3 months now. With it being such a long time I find it more and more feasible that this ban will be permanent. It really disappoints be how Thai people don’t have a voice.
May 5th, 2007 at 5:11 am
I can’t believe that You Tube is still being banned. It must be over 3 months now. With it being such a long time I find it more and more feasible that this ban will be permanent. It really disappoints be how Thai people don’t have a voice.
May 5th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
YouTube is still banned? Are you in Thailand right now?
The government dais they would lift the ban immediately, and that the delay was due to technical reasons. Another lie…?
May 5th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
YouTube is still banned? Are you in Thailand right now?
The government dais they would lift the ban immediately, and that the delay was due to technical reasons. Another lie…?
May 10th, 2007 at 2:49 am
Taking a picture of him near feet or making him look like a monkey isnt a threat on his life, so I say spread freedom.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4086/screwthailandbi8.png