In Thailand, video games have been under government attack ever since the August slaying of a taxi driver by a 19-year-old man who reportedly told police he was re-enacting a scene from Grand Theft Auto.

In today's edition of Bangkok newspaper The Nation, an editorial terms games "a menace":

A number of Thai children have become addicted to computer games, which can be destructive not only to their social behaviour but also their studies.

 

There have been a series of cases of some children unknowingly committing violent acts because they were imitating scenes they have seen on computer games, some of which contain graphic images...

 

A survey from the Culture Ministry revealed that Thai children spent around 2 hours a day playing computer games. About 80 per cent of them choose the combat-style, action-packed games, some of which come with graphic and violent images. The addiction can affect their personality as they become more prone to bursts of anger and violence. Without proper guidance, some are unable to distinguish between fantasy and the real world.

GP: As GamePolitics reported last month, the Thai Ministry of Culture banned five games.

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