BANGKOK, Thailand -- The quaint 1956 Hollywood musical "The King and I," which most people might regard as innocuous, probably would have been banned in Thailand under broadening definitions of "national security" now being cited by military coup leaders to justify their increasing censorship. But in any case, the movie, starring the late Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, is already outlawed under another device that curbs public opinion, the increasingly catch-all "les majeste" rule. Brynner's singing and dancing routine has long been considered by the authorities to insult the institution of the Thai monarchy, and to distort Thai history. The same ban applies to the 1999 remake "Anna and the King," starring Jodie Foster. With this in mind, Thai denizens of the newish world of the Internet should perhaps not be so surprised that the popular video forum YouTube has been blocked in Thailand for running doctored clips of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also perceived as insulting. Many non-Thais would probably agree that the video clip -- and imitators that followed -- are culturally insensitive.
YouTube Blackout Raises Concern Over Expanding Censorship in Thailand
