Thailand Sues YouTube

eldavojohn writes "Thailand is hitting YouTube with charges of lese majeste (up to 15 years in prison) regarding the recent videos on YouTube showing the king next to feet, something extremely offensive in Thailand. 'Since the first clip, more new videos mocking the king have appeared on YouTube, including pictures of the monarch that had been digitally altered to make him resemble a monkey. Thailand's 79-year-old king, almost universally adored by Thais, is the world's longest-reigning monarch, and one of the few who is still protected by tough laws that prohibit any insult against the royal family.'"

Comments

"loved by all"

[Anonymous Coward]

Thailand's 79-year-old king, almost universally adored by Thais, is the world's longest-reigning monarch, and one of the few who is still protected by tough laws that prohibit any insult against the royal family Nearly every story I see on this subject restates this 'fact'. One should keep in mind that many dictators have had this sort of law in place, and it does seem to work. That is until the law is ended, and people are free to speak their mind. Sure some will maintain their support, if only because of how they were raised. Of course as many of them see nothing wrong with selling their daughters into prostitution (and often AIDS)...

...including pictures of the monarch that had been digitally altered to make him resemble a monkey

Perhaps instead they should photo-shop him into the pictures of the child prostitutes for which his country is infamous (not X-rated would get the most press, just standing among the lineups, and next to the AIDS ridden ones who are dying would be appropriate). Maybe his loving subjects might reconsider selling their daughters into a life of misery.

posted AC as I am a coward, more reading on the king and Thailand

Applaud

[leoPetr]

LeoPetr, almost universally revered by Thai Slashdotters, makes an incisive and witty comment on the situation.

You tube should plead guilty!

[physicsphairy]

Thailand is hitting YouTube with charges of lese majeste (up to 15 years in prison) YouTube should plead guilty and accept their 15 year prison sentence.

Take that you abstract embodiment of an American corporational contract owned by another abstract entity also with no definite personification! It's off to the pokey!

Um....

[Roachgod]

Get the fuck over it. Seriously.

He is a KING. A KING. He should be able to deal with (oh horror) FEET!. I am aware of the cultural implications (I am friends with a few people from Thailand), but I expect people to be able to get over jackasses giving them the finger. I expect more of a guy who is a king.

The laws are lame. Tough shit Thailand.

OP, RTFA.

[Samurai Cat!]

Submitted title: "Thailand *sues* YouTube"

Actual article title: "Thailand *to sue* YouTube over king clips"

First line in article: "We are *considering* taking legal action against the website," said Vissanu Meeyo, a spokesman for the information ministry."

Teeensy bit of difference, there.

Re:Hrm...

[morgan_greywolf]

Thailand's 79-year-old king, almost universally adored by Thais, is the world's longest-reigning monarch, and one of the few who is still protected by tough laws that prohibit any insult against the royal family.'

And this, my friends, is why we we have the 1st Amendment to the Constitution in the U.S. ... to protect offensive speech. Because offensive speech (particularly involving the monarch) was punishable by imprisonment in Imperial England.

Your lesson in American History and Civics brought to you today by the King of Thailand -- Universally Adored by Thais everywhere!

Re:Well,

[gravesb]

Its amazing how many people don't understand how this works. There is a treaty, of which the United States, GB, and Australia are all signatories, that creates certain baselines for cybercrime. Since the treaty process was started by the Council of Europe, its rather disingenious to blame all of the resulting statutory implementations on the US. Yes, we did have a large part in the writing, but we were not the only ones who did, and the statutes that each country wrote as a result were their own doing. Yes, the US doesn't always play well with others (WTO, anyone), but the cybercrime treaty is good law, and in accordance with traditional common law principles. If you stand in Canada, and shoot a man in Michigan, you can be extradited to Michigan, if Canada decides that's the most effective method. Same thing here. If you hack a US server, even if you are in the UK, the UK can send you to the US for trial. Jurisdiction is commonly based on the effect of the crime, not just the origin. In this case, I doubt there is an applicable treaty, as the US Supreme Court would frown on restrictions of parody, and likely strike down Congressional implementation of any statute. Likewise, the Thai government could attempt a civil suit in US court, but I doubt that is going to carry much weight. Its also perfectly acceptable for Thailand to ban YouTube from doing business in Thailand absent a representative in Thailand for just this purpose, but if YouTube merely posts the videos, and Thais come to the videos, it will be difficult for Thailand to respond.

Foot icon?

[mrbobjoe]

recent videos on YouTube showing the king next to feet, something extremely offensive in Thailand If there was ever an article that deserved the humor "foot" icon, it's this one...

Re:another proud American

[shutdown -p now]

Back in mid-80s, a Russian and an American argue about politics.

"Unlike you, we have true free speech", the American says, "see, I could go right to the White House and shout, 'Reagan is an asshole' as much as I like, and they won't do anything to me!"

"Then we have free speech in the USSR as well", shrugs the Russian. "I can, too, go to the Red Square and shout 'Reagan is an asshole' as much as I like, and they won't do anything to me either".