Thailand blocks 2,300 websites offending monarchy

BANGKOK - About 2,300 websites have been blocked for not showing respect to the monarchy, Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhage said Thursday.

On Jan 8, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva tasked the ministries of justice, the information and communication technology, and defence with forming a committee to clamp down on the websites having words or images insulting the monarchy, according to the Bangkok Post website.

In the 21 days of crackdown, about 2,300 websites violating the ‘lese majeste law’ have been blocked, Pirapan said.

He added that authorities still need to crack down on about 3,000 to 4,000 websites which were deemed offensive to the royal family.