Pornhub ban sparks protests in Thailand with demonstrators taking to the street to demand adult site is unblocked
PROTESTS have erupted in the streets of Thailand after the government banned Pornhub and several other pornography websites.
The move which sees 190 other sites blacklisted was also met with anger on social media as activists blasted the government for censorship.
Activists said the government’s Pornhub ban amounted to censorship[/caption] Protesters took to the streets holding signs demanding the government to unblock Pornhub[/caption]Outside the country’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society building, protesters converged to slam the law, with some holding placards saying “free Pornhub” and “reclaim Pornhub.”
Other activists wore T-shirts with the Pornhub logo while demanding for the reversal of the new policy.
According to digital minister Puttipong Punnakanta, the ban was as a result of government’s aim to ensure there is limited access to pornographic and gambling sites.
He said these were illegal under Thailand’s cybercrime law.
The hashtag #SavePornhub began trending on Twitter as furious users voiced their opinion on the decision.
Potesters gathered outside the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society building[/caption]Thailand was listed among the top 20 countries by daily traffic for the porn site.
The country is also known worldwide for its vibrant sex industry.
Pornhub says users in the nation spent more time on the site in 2019 at 11 minutes and 21 seconds more than any other country in the world.
Anonymous Party, an activist group based in Thailand said: “We want to reclaim Pornhub. People are entitled to choices.”
Internet experts have now said there has been a spike in search for Virtual Private Networks, also known as VPN after the news was announced on Monday.
VPN enables users get around websites which are prohibited.
Questions have been raised about whether the ban is to protect the morality of the country or if it is part of an orchestrated attempt at censorship on the government’s part.
The country’s young population in recent months have protested against the government while demanding that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-cha be sacked.
They are also calling for King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s powers to be scaled back.
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The ban on pornography comes shortly after a member of Parliament was caught watching explicit images.
In September, lawmaker Ronnathep Anuwat was caught watching porn on his mobile phone while in Parliament.
He was snapped by members of the press in the gallery during a budget reading.
Signs were hanged up during the street protests [/caption] Other people protesting wore Pornhub merchandise while demanding the government unblocks the site[/caption]