BANGKOK, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thai authorities have blocked 2,300 websites for allegedly insulting monarchy and are waiting for court approval to take action on another 400 websites, Thailand's Information and Communication Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee said on Tuesday.

    Apart from the 2,300 websites, Ranongruk said his ministry is preparing to ask for court approval to close another 400 ones, according to a report by The Nation news website.

    She said at a press release posted on the ministry's website that the blocking of websites that disseminate content and photos which insult the monarchy is one of the government's crucial policies.

    She added that her ministry will seek law amendment which will increase powers of ICT officials as soon as parliament reopens.

    The ministry had spent 45 million baht (128,600 U.S. dollars) to buy equipment for a round-the-clock "war room" targeting inappropriate websites.

    The ministry will ask cooperation from ministries of justice, interior and defense to prosecute violators, who face imprisonment and a fine for breaking the law, the minister said.