標題:Anti-royal sites to be blocked BANGKOK - THE Thai government is considering spending up to US$14 million (S$21 million) on technology to block websites it deems insulting to the country's monarchy, the communications minister said on Tuesday. The army chief and prime minister have recently accused unnamed groups of defaming the royals, a grave crime in Thailand that carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years, but which media groups say is often used as a political tool. The royal family's role in politics has been a touchy subject in recent months as street protests by an anti-government group claiming loyalty to the monarchy drag on. The king has not commented on the recent turmoil. 'There is a growing number of websites that attack the monarchy, and the ministry is consulting to buy a blocker that costs between 100 and 500 million baht (S$4.2 and S$21 million dollars),' said communications minister Mun Patanotai. 'More than 80 per cent of these websites are from overseas,' he added. Mr Mun told reporters that his ministry had recently received more than 1,000 complaints about websites slighting the royal family. Thailand made headlines around the world last year when it blocked the popular video-sharing website You Tube after clips started appearing mocking the deeply-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This and similar moves to implement tougher laws controlling cyberspace prompted press freedom watchdogs to warn of increasing censorship after a coup that overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat had earlier Tuesday threatened to prosecute anyone who tried to drag the monarchy into politics. 'The government, officials, military, police, and every Thai must all uphold the monarchy,' he told reporters. 'I have already ordered (officials) to decisively prosecute anyone who criticises the monarchy - no faction should use the monarchy.' Members of the protest group the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) drape themselves in yellow - the colour associated with the king - and frequently make reference to the royal family. Two of their supporters died in clashes with police on Oct 7, and many PAD members claimed the support of the queen when she made a rare appearance at the funeral of one of the dead protesters. She has also donated hundreds of thousands of baht to cover the medical expenses of those injured in the clashes. -- AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_295706.html 新聞來源: (需有正確連結) -- --

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