Thai Youtube spat widens in scope

THE THAILAND GOVERNMENT has got itself in a tif over super-popular user-generated video site, YouTube.

The ruckus all started as an anti-monarchy video was uploaded to the website, although seemingly innocent, the video has made the country's front pages and has led to a ban on YouTube altogether.

Thai officials allegedly sent complaints to YouTube asking for the removal of an "insulting video attack" however the request was supposedly turned down by marketing director Julie Supan. The Bangkok Post reported that Julie said there are videos that attack Georgey Bush too, and it's no big deal.

Apparently it is a big deal to the Thai people, or at least that's how it looks in the papers.

The Bangkok Post says equating George Bush with His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej "is breathtakingly insulting."

"She seems oblivious to the difference between a monarch and a politician," says the paper.

It's argued that "tasteless" videos featuring racially intolerant content or the like are removed from YouTube if a complaint is raised, so there's no reason not to remove this 'un.

For an interesting take on the subject, head on over to this editorial at the Bangkok Post. µ