By NNN-TNA
Bangkok : Thailand’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has set up a committee to consider filing a criminal lawsuit against Google Inc., the US-based parent corporation of YouTube, as the company rejected Thai appeals to remove controversial video clips deemed insulting to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said.
The owner of YouTube ignored the request, Mr. Sitthichai said, stating that it is now necessary for Thailand to sue to force the company to remove the clips.
Since April 4, the ministry has blocked the popular video-sharing website YouTube after it showed a sequence of the objectionable material. Mr. Sitthichai said last month that Google ignored Thailand’s petition because the Kingdom is a small country, while it earlier agreed to China’s request that some clips be censored.
He charged that Google cited freedom of information as the reason for not exercising censorship here but it earlier agreed to censor its website in China since China is a more powerful country.
Mr. Sitthichai has also said that the King is the most revered figure for Thai people, and noted that foreigners do not understand this sentiment.
In another development, Mr. Sitthichai said the ministry will appoint an Internet inspector responsible for monitoring all Internet content. The ICT ministry has commissioned outside contractors to view the Internet of a 24-hour basis.
Draft legislation regarding penalties for illegal computer-based activities is being drafted by the National Legislative Assembly, he added.