Thailand gets Youtube back

THAI MINISTER FOR Information and Communications Technology, Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, said he would restore the country's access to Youtube.

Indeed, such was Mr Sitthichai's horror at finding he had the power to cut off access to websites willy-nilly, he not only unblocked the 'Tube, he also sought to relinquish all his Internet powers.

According to the Bangkok Post, the Minister acquired far-reaching powers following a coup to oust new owner of Manchester City FC, and former Thai premier, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Sitthichai blocked access to Youtube after it ran a video the Thai regime deemed was critical of the King of Thailand and his feet. Youtube eventually downed the offending clip.

Sitthichai said it was far too much power for one man: "I don't want the ICT minister to have too much decision-making power, especially when we'll soon have a new government," he opined.

Under a new law governing electronic transactions any future attempt to close a website needs to go through the courts, he said.

Sitthichai said he had closed only about 200 websites, most of them pornographic. He claimed the previous regime had closed down at least 10,000. µ

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