BANGKOK – Search giant Google has succumbed to Thailand’s pressure of censoring the content on its subsidiary portal Youtube, mocking Thailand’s dead king.
Thai administration deliberated with Google officials amid growing concerns by Thai hardline royalists to bring those who insult the monarchy to justice.
The demise of King Bhumibol Adulyadej earlier this month left the masses mourning as Thailand’s future still looks murky.
The death of King led to the rise of ultra-royalist vigilante groups who opine they will punish anyone perceived to have insulted the monarchy as Thailand is passing through a tough time.
The Friday meeting with Google staff brainstormed on censoring the offensive content uploaded to Youtube. Severity of the matter could be gauged by the fact that Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong also accompanied the delegation meeting Google staffers.
Dy PM affirmed that Google vowed to extend full support to Thailand citing the blocking of anti-monarchy content uploaded to Youtube.
‘If any website is inappropriate they said to get in touch with them and inform them of the URL and the time the content was found’ Prajin told newsmen.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the meeting adding that the search giant after a thorough review, censors the content deemed offensive by any country.
‘We have always had clear and consistent policies for removal requests from governments around the world and we continue to operate in line with those policies’ he said.
Thailand’s military government is going hard on the individuals suspected of insulting the monarchy following king’s death.
Scores of citizens are wearing traditional black dress following the death of King Bhumibol whereas the critics, who are being slammed by royalists have chosen not to wear black.
Thailand’s royal insult law, known as Article 112 in the criminal code allows stern action against the monarch-critics and elaborates as : “Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years”.
The deceased King ruled the state for seven long decades. His son Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn would now lead the country.
