Internet censorship is once again at the core of unrest in Asia where the Thai ministry responsible for communications has requested the courts to shut down over 400 websites and has 'advised' ISP's to block another 1,200 all of which it considers to be either a threat to national security, or disturb the nations 'social order.'

The blocked websites included two with religious content, one video sex game and five sites deemed to carry obscene content.

The Bangkok Post reported yesterday that the ministry for communications claimed that the websites "disturbed the peaceful social order and morality of the people, and/or which were considered detrimental to national security".

The move caused thousands of angry protesters to take to the streets in opposition to prime minister Samak Sundaravej who has announced sweeping measures to curb civil liberties as well as an attempt to clean up the web. The prime minister has brought in the military to try and quell what looks to be getting out of hand. One demonstrator was reportedly killed and dozens were injured in the bloodiest violence since May.

This comes a week after demonstrations by a vocal contingent of its people in the shape of the People's Alliance for Democracy who took over Government buildings last week in an attempt to force the current government to resign.

The good news is that whatever the outcome of the government cleanup program, it looks like ex-con and former glam-rocker Gary Glitter (pictured), who was recently released by Thai authorities after being convicted for child abuse, will have to find another venue to download child porn and pick up prepubescent Thai girls.