Thailand: Game Makers Should be Responsible for Actions of Players

In what can be seen as a stupid move by Thailand, one of the country’s government official has stated that game makers should be prosecuted for the criminal activities of players that are inspired by game content. This follows the recent murder of a Thai cab driver by a 18-year old who told police he was attempting to recreate a scene from Grand Theft Auto 4.

“When a player copycats a crime he or she sees in the game, the game maker should be prosecuted,” said Somchai Jaroen-amnuaysuk, deputy director of Thailand’s Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups Office. “Prosecutions will automatically force game makers to act more responsibly.”

The official also stressed a need to better educate children about the difference between video games and real life. “At the same time, everyone, especially the Education Ministry, should make children aware that games and real life are two different things.”