Thailand Blocks YouTube Over Video

Thailand’s military-appointed government blocked access to YouTube Wednesday because a Web site video depicted the country’s monarch with clown features.

We have blocked YouTube because it contains a video insulting to our king, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology censorship director Winai Yoosabai said.

The ban came after YouTube owner Google Inc. refused to remove the clip, Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom told The Bangkok Post.

When they decide to withdraw the clip, we will withdraw the ban, he said.

A YouTube spokeswoman said the company was disappointed the site had been blocked.

The 44-second clip, posted by someone using the screen name Paddidda, is a crude slide show showing still images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej with hand-drawn clown features and an image of feet pasted over his head, an insulting gesture in Thailand. Marching music plays in the background.

As of Wednesday night the clip received more than 40,000 views and more than 700 comments — most remarking about the ban.