Thailand Closes Gaming Sites After Boy's Suicide

[Crimson King]

He commited suicide after THAT? Good riddance I say.

 

[DerpyDerpyDerp]

I wish I lived in a country as reasonable as that.

 

[Avatar Roku]

Well, looks like somebody was looking for an excuse to shut down gaming sites.

Pretty much what I'm thinking. They clearly wanted the excuse and jumped on the first story they found that had ANYTHING that could be linked to video games.

The general population of Thailand can't be stupid enough to let this go through, can they?

The real questions might be: how are they being told about it and what would they be able to do about it?

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Thai officials criticized the parents for cutting the boy off gaming completely, saying, "For children addicted to gaming, the most effective approach is not to ban games but to regulate the time spent gaming."

Rajanagarindra Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute Director Bundit Sornpaisarn claimed that children addicted to videogames who have an "aggressive mentality" are more likely to commit suicide than others and said parents should use "positive communications" when dealing with addicted children. Parents need to control their emotions, he said, and listen to their children's views in order to "bring positive responses."

How the HELL is it... That THAILAND can figure this out, but we can't in America!?

 

[ExaltedK9]

This a totally reasonable reaction.

I don't even blame them for their reaction, this is just utterly depressing.

 

[ExaltedK9]

I should kill myself and then see if they close this site.....

If you do I will kill you.

This a totally reasonable reaction.

I don't even blame them for their reaction, this is just utterly depressing.

It's not a bright reaction, though.

I agree that this kid had some serious problems, if he would end his life over being grounded from online gaming. No it's probably not constructive in the long run, but at least it's action.

 

[die4769]

"Video games are a time bomb that has already exploded."

Huh, and I thought I control my own free will, well, see you guys later, I've gotta go kill baby seals.

 

[die4769]

I agree that this kid had some serious problems, if he would end his life over being grounded from online gaming. No it's probably not constructive in the long run, but at least it's action.

It's too late for "action," "action" should've been taken by his parent instead of blaming video games because he couldn't take care of his son correctly.

 

[ExaltedK9]

I agree that this kid had some serious problems, if he would end his life over being grounded from online gaming. No it's probably not constructive in the long run, but at least it's action.

It's too late for "action," "action" should've been taken by his parent instead of blaming video games because he couldn't take care of his son correctly.

I'm not fixin' to deny that, I really can't get ahold of this...I'm tired.

 

[Elf Defiler Korgan]

Magnus recognised the problem right up. So a Thai gaming addict kills himself when he cannot game, and the government cancels whole gaming sites? Was this done to protect people?

It is as if they are playing Russian roulette with the gaming populace according to what just happened. I would also play the 'falling kid' game. All sorts of high score possibilities. The picture is well-chosen.

 

[fanrock51]

Well, looks like somebody was looking for an excuse to shut down gaming sites.

Pretty much what I'm thinking. They clearly wanted the excuse and jumped on the first story they found that had ANYTHING that could be linked to video games.

The general population of Thailand can't be stupid enough to let this go through, can they?

Well, they are. and I am from Thailand too. Most people in Thailand always think games are for kid so they just let them buy without thinking anything. An hell I even once saw a mother bought GTA: SA to her 9 years old son without thinking of anything at all.

 

[XJ-0461]

My first reaction to this was "great, another stupid government act against games." But after thinking about it for a while, it occurs to me that ALL of Thailand looses online gaming sites because of one suicidal 12 year old. How messed up is that?

P.S: sorry if I sound insensitive.

 

[ender214]

Hmm... I wonder how many more people will commit suicide after the Thai government blocks these sites?

I second this notion. Not the greatest reasoning ever done by the government.

And the picture is hilarious. What game is it?

 

[TheDoctor455]

You cannot hold these sites responsible for what one obsessive kid and his father did. Yes, the kid was clearly addicted, but I don't really see any evidence suggesting that these sites had deliberately gotten the kid hooked.

 

[Sevre]

Well when my parents took the laptop away for my exams I went outside. Don't tell me outside doesn't exist in Thailand.

 

[dochmbi]

The only effect this will have is increase online piracy in Thailand.

 

[Break]

Ok, so it's not a balanced reaction from the government, and it's horrible that the boy thought so little of his life that he killed himself over having his games taken away, but the thing that surprised me most of all:

Sankaku Complex was listed as a source? Seriously? I mean, they report news too, but it's not exactly... Well, let's just say that I didn't expect a site like the Escapist to openly associate with them.