Two more clips mocking Thailand's revered king have appeared on the video-sharing website YouTube.
Two more clips mocking Thailand's revered king have appeared on the video-sharing website YouTube.
The site is already blocked in Thailand, since a film showing graffiti on images of the king's face was posted on Thursday.
The site is already blocked in Thailand, since a film showing graffiti on images of the king's face was posted on Thursday.
That clip has now been withdrawn, but the government insists it will continue to block access to the site until all offending films are removed.
That clip has now been withdrawn, but the government insists it will continue to block access to the site until all offending films are removed.
Criticising or offending the monarchy is a serious crime in Thailand.
Criticising or offending the monarchy is a serious crime in Thailand.
The world's longest-reigning monarch, 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is revered across the nation, with some people even seeing him as a virtual god.
The world's longest-reigning monarch, 79-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is revered across the nation, with some people even seeing him as a virtual god.
Last week, a Swiss man was jailed for 10 years for vandalising portraits of the king.
Last week, a Swiss man was jailed for 10 years for vandalising portraits of the king.
Censorship fears
Censorship fears
The original video which sparked the row featured images of King Bhumibol covered with graffiti, and juxtaposed pictures of feet over his face - an offensive act to Thais, who consider feet the dirtiest part of the body.
The original video which sparked the row featured images of King Bhumibol covered with graffiti, and juxtaposed pictures of feet over his face - an offensive act to Thais, who consider feet the dirtiest part of the body.
This film now appears to have been withdrawn by its creator, with a notice on the YouTube website saying it had been "removed by the user".
This film now appears to have been withdrawn by its creator, with a notice on the YouTube website saying it had been "removed by the user".
But two more clips on a similar theme have now surfaced.
But two more clips on a similar theme have now surfaced.
Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said he would continue to block access to YouTube "until all the offensive clips have gone".
Communications Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said he would continue to block access to YouTube "until all the offensive clips have gone".
On Thursday, when the first clip appeared and Thailand decided to block the video-sharing site, YouTube said it was disappointed by the ban and asked the government to lift it.
On Thursday, when the first clip appeared and Thailand decided to block the video-sharing site, YouTube said it was disappointed by the ban and asked the government to lift it.
But Mr Sitthichai branded YouTube heartless and culturally insensitive.
But Mr Sitthichai branded YouTube heartless and culturally insensitive.
"We have told them how deeply offended Thais were by the clip, but they said there was much worse ridicule of President Bush on the site and they kept that there," he told Reuters news agency.
"We have told them how deeply offended Thais were by the clip, but they said there was much worse ridicule of President Bush on the site and they kept that there," he told Reuters news agency.
Thailand's decision to block the YouTube site has drawn sharp criticism from media rights groups, who say it highlights an increasing amount of censorship by the military-backed government which came to power after September's coup.
Thailand's decision to block the YouTube site has drawn sharp criticism from media rights groups, who say it highlights an increasing amount of censorship by the military-backed government which came to power after September's coup.
What do you think of the Thai government's decision to block the website? Should YouTube allow material which could be considered "culturally insensitive" on the site? Send us your comments using the form below:
