The government has blocked access to Pornhub, a well-known adult website based outside the country.

The Digital Economy and Society ministry on Monday ordered all internet providers and mobile phone operators to ban all access to the website, because porn websites are illegal in Thailand.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta has become a target of criticism for violating the right of the people to free access to the media.

"The Anonymous Party insists on the right to hold gatherings and the right to have access to all types of media," the group posted on its Facebook account on Tuesday. That freedom included media containing sexual content, as long as viewers were not forced to watch it,  the group said.

It called for a rally at the Government Complex, at Chaeng Wattana, at 4pm in opposition to the ministry's action.

Mr Buddhipongse said on Tuesday he was doing his job and would not react to the critics.

Once Pornhub was blocked, tips on how to access it quickly began circulating on social media.