I've lived in Thailand a lot more than 10 months. While the Thai are all behind the king, they are also united behind the idea that criticism of anything Thai is to be frowned upon, especially if they feel foreigners are behind the criticism, or otherwise having a laugh at Thailand's expense.

Thus the king is the supreme symbol of Thai national feeling, but the 'unwritten' prohibition against criticism of anything Thai doesn't stop there. Who doesn't remember the hilarious reaction from deposed PM ,Thaksin, when the US criticised Thailand for increasing violations of human rights? The headline was, "America is a useless friend".

And if anybody was wondering which party, almost as popular as the king, and almost as dangerous to criticize, Thaksin founded, its name, freely translated, is "Thai love Thai". I think by now most will catch the drift from 'respect for the king' over nationalism to fascism.

The generals are once more openly ruling Thailand. God save the king.

Anna, Copenhagen, Denmark

Governments should not have the right or the ability to block websites regardless of content.

It is up to the people to avoid things that they do not wish to look at. Censorship is infringement on the basic free will of the people, and should not be allowed.

Someone should initiate an independent satellite service that cannot be blocked.

P., Toronto, Canada

The King of Thailand is not just a monarch, but the head of Thai Buddhism. I can't think of any leader that is more revered in his country, for all the right reasons. This video serves no purpose and goes to extremes on insulting the Thai people and their King with no practical nor political message. The site should have had the sense to take it down once it was brought to their attention. Shame on them.

Rob, Houston, TX, USA

It is simple why google has refused. While it may not be allowable in Thailand in other countries criticism of the monarchy is ok. Why should they remove a globally accessible video due to one country's sensibilities.

I also live in SE Asia and am well aware of the Thai view of the monarchy (as it happens I'm going there on Saturday). I think they would have been better blocking the particular page (but may prove difficult if it gets copied/linked). I can also well understand google refusing to have the Thai laws censor their global site, why should other countries have Thai sensibilities imposed upon them (although at the same time why would they care about the video I suppose)?

Simon, Singapore,

If you weigh the pros and cons, namely the so called freedom of speech against unintelligent and unneccessary insult to the revered King, I am certain that the decision by the Minister of Information and Technology to block the site was obviously correct. Moreover, it is simply an all-out attack on the King and as well as the Thai people. The clip contains neither constructive criticism nor valid opinion which attract protection under freedom of speech. Nevertheless restricting access to the whole site may be a little too much restraint on the freedom of people to access other information on the website.

Chanwut, London, UK

I'm originally from Berkshire and have been living and working in Bangkok for 10 months. I am 100 per cent behind the Thai Government on this one because insulting His Majesty is just not something you can do. Unless you live here you cannot begin to understand the importance and respect he has. I doubt you will find one single Thai person who is not fully supportive of what has happened either.
This isn't a freedom of speech issue, it's about laws of individual countries. We do not yet have global rules for global websites, and that's the problem. What is considered acceptable in one part of the world is considered offensive or is even prohibited by laws in other parts.
I am sure it is technically possible to block the offending page as opposed to the whole site, but I cannot understand why YouTube has refused to withdraw the offending video. They've removed far less inflamatory ones in the past. It shows a complete lack of respect for laws and traditions in this part of the world.

Andrew, Bangkok, Thailand