Thailand Blocks Anti-Royal Websites

societyofrobots writes "'The Thai government says it is planning to build an Internet firewall to block websites deemed insulting to the country's hugely popular royal family.' In the past, Thailand has blocked YouTube because of a video that criticized the King. While, locally served websites that criticize the king are forcefully taken down, this new law will attack external sites."

Re:In before apologists...

[Perseid]

The Thai government is similar to the British government. The royalty is respected and influential, but has no actual power. Also, Thailand, like much of Asia, has a freely democratic government but does NOT have inherent freedom of speech like the US does. Movies have to pass a censor board, for example. Violence is apparently okay, but nudity and insults to the king or Buddhism are not.

Re:In before apologists...

[Jah-Wren Ryel]

His open, public side, is always related to charity events, social and economic development proyects.

And commuting the sentences of people convicted of insulting him.
Apparently he doesn't have any control over prosecution and conviction, but he can essentially pardon them when it is all over.