Dear Peter Flatters, Lincolnshire, .. I sincerely warn u .. Please be careful of what u say or do while travelling in my country .. what u think does not bother me and my beliefs at all. I love my king and i have countless reasons why .. sorry if u don't like what i think but u'll never ever understand. Just like what M from thailand said.

And Pete , Cov .. it's true that i woudn't be happy to be subject to such draconian laws .. but well .. isn't it all about being respectful of the country u live in or visit? i'm quite sure if i keep that in mind then i shouldn't be in that kind of trouble.

Sara, Auckland, NZ

it comes down to 1 word "RESPECT" . A word here in the west we have lost all meaning of. When i was i kid i respected my elders . You only have whats happening here now days to realise what we are losing or have lost. If you don't want to show respect to anyone, their country & culture, don't go there. The thai people are some of the nicest in the world & would try to help anyone.
The majority of them have very little so just leave them be, with their thoughts of their king. After all its their king not our's.

david cooke, yorkshire, uk

The lese majeste law has been in place for centuries, few of some 60 million Thais and hardly ever any millions of foreigners traveling to/residing in the Kingdom were convicted. I believe that was not only because the law was in place but simply only because there are respectable people who has respect for others. I'm sure Oliver Jufer (let's stop calling him Swiss man) was aware of the law before he arrived, if not during his 10 years of his life in Thailand.

One wouldn't go into one's friend's house spray-painting his/her kind dad's portrait on his birthday, would you? The rule of each house and how each of your friends react will be different. But knowing there are consequences, why would one still want to challenge it? If your nicest friend would rediculously kill u for that, would u be going for a party there still? But if the party is really that good & friend that nice it's probably ok if you want to go enjoy it and hold your temptation to spray paint - how hard is that?

m, bangkok, thailand

To Joe, "Abhorrent" is incorrect. I said "disturbing" which I think is an adequate description of widespread unquestioning devotion to any single person or even political ideology. Such a frame of mind is unconstructive as it stifles public debate and freedom of expression. The guy was wrong but the punishment does not reflect the 'crime'.

To M, Bangkok, I am fully aware of the good work that your king does (such as his water purification design) and concern for his people that is all too uncommon amongst today's monarchs. But this does not defend the lese majeste laws that have no place in the 21st century.

Peter Flatters, Lincolnshire,

To Peter Flatters:
'The above comment reflects the general hero-worship of the man and abandonement of all reason when something like this occurs.'

So, should we go back to blindly worship some idealistic comic / created hero like superman spiderman wonderwoman? Why would we want to do that when there are real good example or real idol to look up to?

To all those who couldn't understand why the Thais are all fuzzing about this stupid clip or stupid vandalism -- I don't know how to make you understand because unless you are born into one or experience it, you will not be able to get a grip of how much he has done for his people and how much respect he has earned. I personally cannot comprehend why one would insult or disrepect someone or something, that has only do good and never known to harm others, someone else holds dear to their hearts.

It takes some psycho to enjoy provoking people with some silly act. Hope they use their talents constructively.

m, bangkok, thailand

To Pete,
"They chop off hands for stealing, and hang people for homosexuality in Iran. Would you be happy to be subject to such draconian laws? Thought not."
If you don't like the country's laws, don't go there. Simple. If you don't live in the country, why would you try to insult the government?

To Peter,
Honestly, you finding another country's devotion to their leader abhorrent is pure opinion. To the opinions of other countries (and as shown throughout historical events), the English and Americans have a disgusting love for democracy that is unheard of and an obsessive hate for Communism ideology. That Swiss man was clearly wrong and deserves that punishment because he should have known the consequences for his actions.

Joe, San Jose, California

Couldnt agree more with Peter Flatters. Such devotion to a man, a mortal, who has no say in the running of the country?

A Swiss man has lost 10 years of his life just because he sprayed some paint on a few posters. Sure, "When in Rome..", but there comes a point when the Thai's devotion to their Monarch beggars belief!

One wonders whether the hundreds, if not thousands, of Child Prostitution pimps in Thailand would get 10 years in jail.

Shame on the Thais, their ridiculous legislation, and shame on the Thai king for not abandoning this ridiculous law. Where is his conscience?

As for Sara in Auckland. I do hope you never ever fall foul of the law in a foreign country. They chop off hands for stealing, and hang people for homosexuality in Iran. Would you be happy to be subject to such draconian laws? Thought not.

Pete, Cov,

"YouTube and Google should go back and see what they are doing in China before they issue such a hypocritical statement. Or are they just afraid of losing revenue in Thailand?" -TiE, Nottingham

Are you seriously comparing the internet based revenue potential of China with Thailand?

Come off it!

China = 1 billion population
Thailand = ...dont even know!

Pete, Cov,

"and oh, as for that swiss guy.. well, that will teach him a lesson. When in rome, do what the Romans do ..I believe that applies to everywhere you go .. You come to the country, respect the country and the people."

Are you kidding me?! I am currently travelling in Thailand and find the Thai's devotion to their monarch just a little disturbing. Comments such as the above reveal the irrationality that is common when something like this occurs. Of course when aboroad you should respect the country and the people. But 10 years? Come on!

Peter Flatters, Lincolnshire, UK

"and oh, as for that swiss guy.. well, that will teach him a lesson. When in rome, do what the Romans do ..I believe that applies to everywhere you go .. You come to the country, respect the country and the people."

Are you kidding me?! I'm currently travelling through Thailand and find the Thai's devotion to their monarch just a little disturbing. The above comment reflects the general hero-worship of the man and abandonement of all reason when something like this occurs. Of course, when abroad you should show respect, regardless of what your own opinion may be. But 10 years? Come on!

Peter Flatters, Lincolnshire, UK

Greetings from the American Kingdom

Long live the UK.

Why does everyone make these association cross ups that are ignorant. (In my oppinion.)

Dictatorship/democracy /etc.

The worst form of government is totalitarian Democracy.
The most efficient Governmnet and wisest is of a Kingdom in which a rulling King and Rulling subjects inherit their positions of power. Democracy can fall into form benieth their rule in certain seprated parts of society, but should always be able to be over-riden by a Kingdom's rulling subjects. For example In the United States I would be the prime minister of The United States under Britain, for my entire life, and then handed down to my Son that same position. I would also be the Archbishop of the Baptist religion. Because I am the only man related to the First Govenor (John Endicott) of the first 13 colonies and I am also Cherokee Indian (King by name) I consider myself Royalty and Sainthood. And then having seen God face to face .....Prophet.

Paul Harmon, DFW, USA

Please do not judge us just from a piece of news. People from different backgrounds and cultures have different values. I am Thai, and I truely worship my king. He has unconditionally done and given so much for us and our country . He has nothing to do with what the government decides to do.

and oh, as for that swiss guy.. well, that will teach him a lesson. When in rome, do what the Romans do ..I believe that applies to everywhere you go .. You come to the country, respect the country and the people.

Sara, Auckland, NZ

This is all political manouvering by the acting junta, trying to stir up and tap into the royalist sentiments of the population, jostling for position against the Thaksin supporters. This has nothing to do with the king.

Andy Wilson, Singapore,

Nothing can make people look more foolish than themselves. If the King thinks he deserves this adulation because he's a king, then it is his delusions that make him look silly. Nothing some poor Swiss in jail or anyone else does will increase the ridicule because he has brought it on himself. The only way the King of Thailand can restore himself any respect and stop the whole world laughing at his ludicrous pretensions is to drop this deeply silly posing.

eric, harrogate, uk

Humor and Patriotism. Firstly, I have not viewed the YOU Tube bash or whatever it may be percieved. As an American who has been invited to Thailand over 20 times, I have to announce my respect for the happy way the residents faithfully and dutifully make Thailand the country it is. Anyone can slice and dice the politics of a group. Whether family or military, or existing animals in life. I can say I am more than impressed with the devotion, kindness, and manners of the Thai communities that make Thailand. I have no doubt that upward caring will lead them to be a Grand example in time. Time includes work, and THAT is Thai pride and will guide them to greatness. And their King is a PERSON who cares, and leads. America has a rule book, and Thailand has one. Who's is better? Time will tell...

Jim Maynard, Shalimar,

Yay,
Don't get it wrong. The ones who made the clips are not Thai for sure. (you say THEIR leader)
Anyway, the main problem is, apart from breaking against Thai's law or whatsoever, because we Thais love our king.
I understand that foreigners do not understand how we love and respect our king, so you should understand that you don't understand.

ready to go, Bath,

The video was certainly offensive to many Thais, but the veneration of the royal family in Thailand is these days less universal than many commentators suggest, partly because of the interference in democratic politics by the royalist old guard.Though a taboo subject in Thailand, the institution is unlikely to survive in its current form after the death of the current monarch.Generally, lese majeste accusations are made in Thailand by opposing politicians anxious to demonstrate they are more royalist than thou.Interestingly, the king himself, who is a wise and decent man, distances himself from this anachronistic nonsense.

Senex, London,

TiE, who cares how disrespectful it was? Citizens should have the right to mock their leaders, regardless of how much it offends the traditionalists.

Yay, London,

This story doesn't contain a statement by Google. As for the statement by Julie Supan of YouTube, which part is hypocritical? That they are disappointed? That they are looking in to the issue? That the internet can offer great opportunities and access to information? Or that the internet can also present new and unique cultural challenges? The second half of your comment is completely nonsensical and lacks foundation.

As for the first half, you are making an argument about your personal belief as to the value of the speech. However, I'm sure the creator of the speech would have a vastly different appraisal of the speech, perhaps as a commentary on the political situation in Thailand. This, by itself, may indicate that it deserves more critical thought than you have given it. We should be very careful about censoring any speech percisely because the best place to address the value of speech is in the free exchange of speech.

Justin, Los Angeles,

This is a case of freedom of speech going too far. It was not done for any sort of "public good." Disrespectful to the extreme and for no particular reason whatsoever. Would you stand for it if someone came and verbally harass you? Same here.

YouTube and Google should go back and see what they are doing in China before they issue such a hypocritical statement. Or are they just afraid of losing revenue in Thailand?

TiE, Nottingham,