Thai authority to limit Pokemon Go craze among youth

BANGKOK, August 8 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Education is considering to impose new regulations to address Pokemon Go craze among youth to limit negative impacts among the younger generations. Expressing his concerns over reports on accidents caused by students' addiction to Pokemon Go, Thai Education Minister General Dapong Ratanasuwan told journalists on Monday that he would play the game himself to understand children more and would instruct teachers to monitor and evaluate the situation at schools to see whether measures should be rolled out to prevent negative impacts from the game on the youth. "If young players are distracted and do not focus on classes, schools are suggested to consider setting new rules to ban playing the game in classes or at schools", said the minister. The minister acknowledged, however, that the game has an advantage because, to catch Pokemon, players are encouraged to go outdoor, walking, which is a good physical exercise, and learning more about new places. According to the minister, he and Tourism and Sports Minister Wattanavrangkura are keeping an eye on the popularity of the game in Thailand to ensure its usefulness with limited negative impacts among players. (TNA)