Posted Sep 03, 2008 at 09:51AM by Isaac C. Listed in: News Tags: hitman, Bangkok
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Thailand Begins Crackdown on 'Dangerous Games,' Bans Five Titles - Image 1In what can only be seen as a natural course of events, considering the conservative nature of the country, Thailand has tightened its grip on video games by banning five games from being sold in the country.

This decision was made by the Ministry of Culture at a 90 days conference that was pulled together to address violent video games.

The current aggression towards video games was sparked by a Grand Theft Auto IV copycat crime in the country, when a teenager robbed and killed a taxi driver to "find out if it was as easy in real life." The force of their video game crackdown has been hammering down ever since.

The 90 day conference, aimed to eliminate the "dangers" of violent video games, have banned the following games, which comprise half of their "10 violent games to avoid" list (which was allegedly stolen from a list made by Detroit prosecutor Kym Worthy):
  • Hitman
  • 300
  • Killer Seven
  • Hitman: Blood Money
  • Fifty Cent: Bullet Proof
Aside from that, the conference has written up a list of (rather vague) tactics to further address the problem:
  1. Keeping an eye out and taking care of Thai youths so they are safe from dangerous games.
  2. Encourage all involved to take care of Thai youths and keep them away from dangerous games and games which are deemed "unwanted".
  3. Encourage the development of games and gaming stores as an educational outlet for youths.
  4. Regulate (CONTROL!!!!!!!!), inspect/enforce dangerous games and gaming stores.
  5. Educate Thai youths on the dangers of dangerous games.


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9 Comments


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   by gundamb2 - 2008-09-03
 » Even the U.S. isn'

This will probably lower piracy. Not like anyone buys original copies in Thailand. As for the censorship of video games; it's not like they have a First Amendment or Supreme Court. So didn't expect much more from a corrupt government.

   by 73N5H1 - 2008-09-03
 » ....

its going to be funny when they find out "oh, videogames weren't the problem... the problem is that these people are *****ing crazy" when they find something else to do or emulate... why is it so hard for people to see that the problem is mental and has nothing to do with games. I play violent video games all of the time and I'm one of the most peaceful, non-violent people you'll ever meet. The bottom line is that the average, mentally-stable person doesn't play GTA and say "oh, I think I wanna run over an old lady and rob a hooker just like on the game" It really annoys me when people shift the blame away from the real problem and take away everyone else's right to make their own choices in the process.


   Re: death - 2008-09-03
 » im completely non violent

and one of the nicest guys youll meet.................. yet watch me play gta4 and i guareentee youll be kinda freaked out
(im a killing machine)
ill give an example guy looks at me shoot him in the chest with a shottie , when he hits the ground stab him with the knife till he's dead . if a cops seen me by this point ill kill about 30 of em with a smg (headshot then spray to ensure death) then go kamikaze with a grenade and attempt to kill as many people as possible :D

all in all it makes people say i need mental help ........ BUT ITS JUST A GAME
   by nomder - 2008-09-03
 » Ha ha....seriously?

A ban on video games coming from a country who does nothing to stop the extreme amount of child prostitution, drug abuse, poverty, and crime which echoes worldwide from their tiny little country.....come on.....GTA really is their biggest problem huh?


   Re: dazmo - 2008-09-06
 » LMFAO

No, quite the contrary.
the thailand government has realized that allowing people to have something to do instead of rape children while shooting heroin beating up old people was really putting a dent in the revenues those things create.
gotta keep the gross domestic product stable. . . no matter how gross it is.
   by phiyuku - 2008-09-03
 » hold on

"The current aggression towards video games was sparked by a Grand Theft Auto IV copycat crime in the country"

They blame Grand Theft Auto IV yet that's not on the banned list.

What are they stupid or something?
No wonder they think Grand Theft Auto IV was the cause for the "copycat" killing.

   by Nevers - 2008-09-03
 » Dear Thai Government

You're R-tarded !!!

XoXo

Nevs

   by jacobian91 - 2008-09-04
 » Those games are how many years old?

I mean come on?

Also,
@ nomder
I think they are doing this because they don't have a plan to stop any of these things, but they can actually do something about this issue.

   by z32tt3z - 2008-09-04
 » ALL THOSE GAMES SUCKS

at least they didnt ban gta



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