Bangkok, Jan 6 (EFE) .- YouTube has blocked in Thailand the video clip of a song by the Thai group Rap Against Dictatorship (Rap against the dictatorship) with references to the monarchy, a state protected by the laws of the country with harsh prison sentences.
“We are still puzzled as to why they have blocked (our video clip). Thai official agencies have not given an explanation and the portal does not clearly specify the reasons either,” Dechathorn “Hockey” Bamrungmuang, one of the members of the group, told Efe.
The video for the song “reform” (reform), recorded during the demonstrations demanding democratic change in the country, was blocked from the group’s profile earlier this week “due to a legal claim from the government” after it was published in November. according to YouTube.
Other songs by the band remain available on the platform, while a user of the social network has once again posted the controversial vice-clip without it being censored for now.
The lyrics of “reform” advocate the downfall of “feudalism” in Thailand and directly criticize the prime minister, Prayut Chan-ocha, who says that despite his servility to the monarchy he will never reach the level of Fufu, the deceased dog of King Vajiralongkorn.
The lese majestad law, included in article 112 of the Penal Code, protects members of the royal house from any type of criticism, with penalties of between 3 and 15 years in prison for each crime.
AT LEAST 37 ACCUSED OF BREACHING THE LAW
At least 37 people have recently been accused of violating the aforementioned law during the pro-democracy demonstrations that took place from July until the end of last year in Bangkok and which were organized mainly by student groups.
This wave of peaceful protests calls for the resignation of the prime minister, who seized power in the 2014 coup and held his post last year in controversial elections, while demanding a new Constitution that limits the power of the Army , who have taken power in 13 riots since 1932.
The reform of the monarchy is the boldest demand of the protesters with explicit messages that directly challenge the royal house and that until a few months ago were taboo and practically unthinkable to hear them in public.
Rap Against Dictatorship became popular two years ago with a song against the old military junta, headed by Prayut, and the abuses committed by the military in recent Thailand history. EFE
bkk-igx / raa / msr
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