ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom Sunday said the ministry has asked the popular web site www.pantip.com  to temporarily close down its Rajdamnoen Room because the ICT has found that several topics discussed in it undermine national security.

 The order against Pantip's Rajdamnoen Room, which hosts political discussions with leaning toward remnants of the previous regime, took effect yesterday.

 Earlier the ICT was embroiled in another critical decision to shut down YouTube web site altogether YouTube had declined to remove a video clip deemed insulting to His Majesty the King.

 Sitthichai said the ministry would allow the web site to open its chat room after the political situation has improved. He would not say when this would happen, hinting only that it might take place soon.

 He added that the ICT is sensitive toward any messages or discussions in web sites that border on insulting Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and His Majesty the King.

 He said the ministry also asked www.prachatai.com and www.mthai.com to monitor its political web boards, which allegedly carry several messages affecting the monarchy.

 Sitthichai would discuss with acting National Police chief Seripisut Temiyavej about a measure to take legal action against anybody who post the messages deemed harmful to the country.

 Pantip web site yesterday also noticed to its attendant that the political page - Rajdamnoen Room was closed for national security reasons at the request of the ICT Ministry.

  "The Web page is suspended as requested. We would like to ask members to not post [political messages] in other rooms, otherwise the entire site will be closed. Sorry for any inconvenience," the web site said.

 Pantip is the most popular chat room in Thailand and the political pages often feature feisty debate about democracy, the military junta and the legitimacy of the coup that brought it to power last year.

 The website is proThaksin camp, going against www.manager.co.th, website of Manager Group of Sondhi Limthongkul.

 The Rajdamnoen page was shut down for two weeks shortly after the September coup, which overthrew premier Thaksin Shinawatra.