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'YouTube' minister resigns
21/09/2007 14:14 - (SA)
Bangkok - The Thai technology minister who imposed a five-month ban on the popular video-sharing site YouTube said on Friday he would resign amid allegations over improper stock holdings.
The announcement by Sitthichai Pookaiyaudoom came a day after a powerful anti-graft body set up by Thailand's junta said his stock ownership exceeded legal limits for cabinet officials.
"I will resign to set a good example. I am not a career politician and am not interested in politics anyway," he said, but declined to comment on the stock deal.
He said he would give his resignation to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is currently attending the UN General Assembly in the United States and is to return to Bangkok on September 29.
The Surayud government came to power following last year's bloodless coup against prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over claims of conflicts of interest among the billionaire's business dealings.
Sitthichai imposed the ban on YouTube after an anonymous user posted a clip showing digitally-altered images of Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej next to a photograph of feet.
Thais believe feet are the lowest and dirtiest part of the body, and avoid ever showing their soles in public.
Placing feet next to someone's head is seen as a massive insult.
The government lifted the ban at the end of August after YouTube installed filters to stop viewers here seeing clips deemed offensive to the 79-year-old king.
- AFP
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