Thai PM worried over addiction to Pokemon Go

BANGKOK, August 9 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has expressed his concerns that people might become too addicted to a most popular reality game, Pokemon Go, and has ordered digital and information and communication authorities to come up with measures to prevent negative effects. Thai Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists of the prime minister's concerns and instructions on August 8, after the Pokemon Go game has been recently introduced in Thailand and has forcefully become popular among a number of Thai youngsters, causing some of them to almost be harmed or got into accidents as they were too focused on playing the game. The spokesman said the prime minister has, thus, ordered the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to work out measures to prevent negative impacts for the sake of health and welfare of the Thai people. "Although Thailand does not have laws or regulations to control or prohibit this type of game, concerned agencies need to study other countries' approaches to deal with the issue and implement preventive measures for the health and welfare of local people, like limiting areas where the game can be played safely", the spokesman quoted the prime minister as suggesting. The spokesman stressed that the prime minister does not wish to prohibit the playing of the game but would like everyone to be more conscious about their actions and should know their own limits and appropriateness. Besides, the prime minister asked parents and guardians to give proper advice to their children about advantages and disadvantages of the game, while asking the general public to be aware of the new trend and situation and help prevent adverse effects on the Thai society. (TNA)