Bangkok - Despite the removal of a YouTube video that mocks Thailand's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the government has not yet lifted its country-wide ban placed earlier this week on the Google-owned site, the Associated Press reported.

Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the country's minister of information and technology, said a single frame from the video still remains on the site.

"We want the picture removed, too, before we unblock it," Sitthichai told AP.

"In some countries, it's a norm to have their leaders mocked, but this is different. With the king, it is very offensive to the Thai public."

The video, posted by a U.S.-based user called "paddidda," showed a pair of feet juxtaposed over the head of the king -- considered extremely offensive to Thai mores.

"The Internet is an international phenomenon and while technology can bring great opportunity and access to information globally, it can also present new and unique cultural challenges," YouTube spokeswoman Julie Supan told AP.

As of this writing, it appears that YouTube has closed the account of the user "paddidda" who posted the video.

Related Links:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070405/ap_on_hi_te/thailand_internet_crackdown_5

http://tinyurl.com/3dd2qr (DMW previous coverage)

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=paddidda