14 Year-Old Boy Kills His Mother In Bangkok; Mum Wouldn't Let Him Play Computer Games

[crazydrummerpauly]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

Really, no evidence ? --->

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=computer+games+and+dopamine&aq=f&oq=computer+games+and+dopamine&sugexp=chrome,mod=0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Shed-loads of evidence.

[HOOD Robin]

'Children at his age still lack emotional control'

really? at 14 years old

You would be SURPRISED !!! My Thai wife was the owner of an internet/game shop ; i have seen things there that i never could have imagined. Those kids are ADDICTED to those games, so much that they really would KILL someone who try to keep them from their "sport" !! i am talking about kids of 6-7-8-9-10-11... years old !!! There was even a boy of FOUR years who was waiting every morning at SEVEN o'clock for that door to open so he could spend his time for many hours on the games !!!

i observed them many times, and this is really INCREDIBLE what is going on in these young brains during that 30 min or 1,2... hours they do their thing on the computer in the shop. Some of them even play games for 6-7 hours ! they save their money that parents give them in the morning to buy food or other stuff in school. Well, they just do NOT eat and save that money for the games... Others just STEAL the money for the games "sport".

Really, i am not surprised that such sad things happen ! All the more so these kids watch every day all those violent series and movies, TOGETHER with their parents, sisters, brothers, friends.... as this is a MUST in Thailand to watch those evil things !! So it seems to be "normal" in TH that someone stabs another person , or is shooting someone, or.. or.. or... -- (Most youths hanging around with knifes or fire arms in their pockets !!! And this some people call a civillised country !? Education = ZERO, sorry to say, but it's the truth

Much more things to tell about this subject... but i leave it for now... again, very sad !

I agree with your post for the most part. The section where you blame the violent media (Movies, TV series) are just not proven to be the main cause. My 2 boys have watched whatever they liked growing up. They both realized that it was just a movie and that hundreds of people are involved in making a movie/TV series. They grew up well rounded and successful. My youngest is currently involved in the film industry.

I think it doesn't matter if the games are violent or passive I think it is more of a stimulation of habit and is able to take the mind away from current reality. Kinda like zoning in on television everyday for hrs. Not going outside or reading a good book that maybe be violent in nature, a drama or a love story. There is nothing wrong with parental control over the mass media that keeps the mass's preoccupied from real life whether violent or not it is the amount of time one spends zoning out on games and Television is the real harm from media these days.

"My 2 boys have watched whatever they liked growing up" => So that means that your boys were watching porn movies when they were 5-6-7-9-11-13 years old ? Come on pal, get a life ! ok, you probably TEACHED them difference between real and movie... Good for them ! but how many HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND kids in Thailand are not so lucky because their folks don't know themselves what's real and what's fake..... brainless... it's part of the culture... very sad...

[freedom4life]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

Regardless, computer games are addictive, similar to drugs, in many cases.

[theajarn]

Drugs for autism are expensive. I am not going to speculate on it...

Such a sad state of affairs. I see parents scolding their kids all the time. Hitting them etc. Even little 3-4 year olds get whacked for being 'playful'. They're kids. That's what they do. I myself had a very traumatic childhood... I understand this s__t firsthand. I have two sons now and I _ALWAYS_ try to see things through their eyes before reacting to a situation. And it works. You just have to forget that you're "the boss" sometimes... and be human. So every time I see a parent hit their own kid/s... it makes me angry, but what can I do? What can anybody do?

[Thai at Heart]

This has nothing to do with autism. This was premeditated murder. He waited until his mother was asleep and couldn't fight back then went in to stab her. He did not do it in the spur of the moment. He could just as well have waited until she went to sleep and snuck to play the game. That is unless she took the power cord like I do my daughter.

Are u mad? When was the last time it was ever reported that a criminal had a mental defect in this country? It is a badge of shame so serious, that not even the red bull guy tried it.

[thaical]

Autism is not "curable" but - as a number of you have stated - it can be controlled through medication and consistent management.

As far as computer games being addictive, this is essentially correct - especially if the child has a condition such as autism or ADHD. Be aware that there have been numerous scientific studies (with thousands of children taking part) that show that a person does not really understand "cause and effect" until that person is in their early 20's. A person's brain has not physically developed a true understanding until they reach this age. One may Google this topic to see these studies - please be aware that I am not speaking of anecdotal evidence ("I took this medicine and now I'm cured!") but actual studies done with control groups.

May Buddha have sympathy for this young boy and may his mother rest in peace

[Thai at Heart]

Autism is not "curable" but - as a number of you have stated - it can be controlled through medication and consistent management.

As far as computer games being addictive, this is essentially correct - especially if the child has a condition such as autism or ADHD. Be aware that there have been numerous scientific studies (with thousands of children taking part) that show that a person does not really understand "cause and effect" until that person is in their early 20's. A person's brain has not physically developed a true understanding until they reach this age. One may Google this topic to see these studies - please be aware that I am not speaking of anecdotal evidence ("I took this medicine and now I'm cured!") but actual studies done with control groups.

May Buddha have sympathy for this young boy and may his mother rest in peace

I agree, with education for the parents, a cheaper access to meds and assistance, and a more accepting society for this type of issue, this probably should not have occurred.

All unnecessary, and tragic.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Thai at Heart

[blacksuitdandruff]

it has been decided that video games should be outlawed after reading about this.

yeah and throw out rap music too.

[laislica]

Autism is not "curable" but - as a number of you have stated - it can be controlled through medication and consistent management.

As far as computer games being addictive, this is essentially correct - especially if the child has a condition such as autism or ADHD. Be aware that there have been numerous scientific studies (with thousands of children taking part) that show that a person does not really understand "cause and effect" until that person is in their early 20's. A person's brain has not physically developed a true understanding until they reach this age. One may Google this topic to see these studies - please be aware that I am not speaking of anecdotal evidence ("I took this medicine and now I'm cured!") but actual studies done with control groups.

May Buddha have sympathy for this young boy and may his mother rest in peace

I agree, with education for the parents, a cheaper access to meds and assistance, and a more accepting society for this type of issue, this probably should not have occurred.

All unnecessary, and tragic.

There is mounting evidence that Autism is triggered by, amongst other things like vaccines, "bad gut flora".

(Edit:

It is estimated that the average person comprises of a huge number of cells (more than 30 trillion at least) but of those cells only one tenth are the persons, the rest are bacteria - on, in and around. Therefore, the bacteria that inhabits your body have a profound effect on your health at all levels.)

When the age of antibiotics arrived they were very broad spectrum and over used - a wonder drug.

They resulted in gut flora being wiped out and probably because of poor diet, the bad bacteria started to overcome the good bacteria.

A baby gets it´s bacterial flora from the mum's vagina at birth and so may collect an unbalanced flora. This unbalancing is passed on through subsequent generations until the balance between good and bad bacteria is heavily on the bad side. Add this to the pesticides we consume in our food and we have a serious problem,

Back in the day when we didn't have refrigerators, food was preserved by fermenting it.

Properly fermented food contains trillions of beneficial bacteria and if a portion is taken daily, can correct gut flora.

Also add large doses of vitamin B3 - Thiamin.

These strategies are not expensive and may help.

Don't rely on shop bought coleslaw because it is usually pasturised to kill all bacteria the good and the bad.

It's easy to make, have a little Google.

Edited October 31, 2012 by laislica

[Nisa]

Tragic story for all those involved. Disappointed that folks and the media want to make this into something it is not such as entertainment or trivial political causes / advancements. Just as a very sad story about a kid who needed serious help and who didn't get it resulting in tragic consequences for his mother and family. This story should be about the lack of better mental health awareness and access and not video games.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Nisa

[xen]

'Children at his age still lack emotional control'

really? at 14 years old

Many don't have "emotional control" at 40 or at 400 years( If they could survive to that age).

[Nisa]

'Children at his age still lack emotional control'

really? at 14 years old

Many don't have "emotional control" at 40 or at 400 years( If they could survive to that age).

The entire paraphrased quote was Children at this age still lack emotional control, Dr Apichai said. When denied what they are addicted to, they may lose control and hurt others.

I certainly hope there is some translation problem going on here or the words are taken out of context because this really is a retarded thing to say. Although without a doubt true for more adults than 14-years old, it seems to be excusing behavior or at the very least acting as if it is somehow remotely normal. The fact is 14-year olds without a doubt don't have the same emotional control as adults and certainly some people "may" hurt others for any number of reasons but the way this is put out there either makes the Doc sound like an idiot or he is an idiot.

Edited October 31, 2012 by Nisa

[Nisa]

And maybe somebody with more experience can comment but I highly doubt autism had anything to do with this murder. If he was this extremely autistic then nobody would be suggested he was cured unless this too was some kind of error in reporting. Again, somebody with more knowledge can comment but I don't think it kids with non-extreme autism are known to kill as a result of being autistic. Sounds to me this kid either had some serious other mental problems going on and/or he was misdiagnosed.

And although very unlikely (I hope), who knows if the kid is being used as a scapegoat. I didn't see anything stating he admitted to the crime but it does sound like Dad and the cousin had the same story which involves making the mother out to be a bad person and providing motive and prior desires to commit the act ... The boy's father and his cousins told police that he had had autistic syndrome and been cured. However, he had a suppressed personality and was always scolded by his mother. He allegedly used to say he would want to kill his mother.

Does suppressed personality mean like multiple personalities and one in which he could do things under this other personality and not remember them in his normal state?

[theslime]

Possibly, the poor woman has tried to impose 'boundaries' just a bit too late in this boys life.

Kids need to know limits right from the start, and most parents just don't do that in this country.

Not just this country.

[Considered Opinion]

Amazing. I was aware we have legal experts on Thai visa and have had forever. I had no idea we had scholars of such depth as to be able to diagnose mental illness and personality issues. Well done chaps. Remember this isn't the first kid to kill a parent over computer games. Maybe he read about it in an online forum.

[Nisa]

Amazing. I was aware we have legal experts on Thai visa and have had forever. I had no idea we had scholars of such depth as to be able to diagnose mental illness and personality issues. Well done chaps. Remember this isn't the first kid to kill a parent over computer games. Maybe he read about it in an online forum.

If a kid kills his parent over the excuse of a video game then can pretty much assure you that he/she would have killed them even if there weren't video games ... maybe music, TV or book(s).

Edited October 31, 2012 by Nisa

[gaucho]

i know a lot of guys who get spastic everynight in walking street ..by about 2pm next day they have cured themselves ...

[chooka]

that he had had autistic syndrome and been cured.

there is no cure for autism.

apparently there is in Thailand.

Tragic story.

[Nisa]

that he had had autistic syndrome and been cured.

there is no cure for autism.

apparently there is in Thailand.

Tragic story.

And the only side effect to the cure is becoming a murderer.

[cup-O-coffee]

In the time it took me to read all these posts, there have been uncountable, insane murders of parents by their children, and visa-versa, all over the world.

This is singular event from millions in only the last few moments.

I cannot apologize when I say that I am fresh out of the ability to even muster one iota of sympathy and tea-totalling RIPs for the wide-spread collateral damage that is brought about by sheer stupidity and ignorance.

Only my humanity (a reminder that I am human, yet capable of only so much energy) caused me to twinge a bit when I read this article. The remainder of my emotions flew on by and focused on more productive things. I haven't time to waste on empty niceties.

[jacko45k]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

I was also surprised he had been 'cured' of autism.

[chainarong]

This young man probably need help long before this out burst, however this type of crime or similar has happened in other parts of the world, there;s not much in the way of help out there in Thailand , some say they are to busy milkin the system.

[metisdead]

A number of off topic posts and replies have been removed. This topic has absolutely nothing to do with gun related crimes.

Other nonsense posts and replies have been removed.

[FOODLOVER]

Turn off my World of Tanks and i will cut you!

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Disputed evidence, but there is some.

It is perfectly obvious gaming can be and very strong addiction.

Add that to pervious problem, "Cured" Autism.... yeah right.

like anything then...reading(so much banned literature),listening to music(remember all the bullshit about music in the 80's 90's causing violence?),movies("video nasties" anyone?)

calling the crock of shit that the "vidya games cause viorlents dontyerknow!" crowd are shilling "Disputed evidence" is a disservice to everyone involved.

[MaxYakov]

"Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs."

Dr Mongkoi needs to go back to school. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, not a hormone. This is elementary biochemistry.

Neurotransmitters are created at and localized at nerve synapses.

Hormones are created by glands and are circulated via the bloodstream.

Though clearly video game playing can be oddly addicting. A few years ago two fellows from Shanghai were playing online together and a monster dropped an uber (elite) sword. The two agreed to use the elite ethereal (existing as electrons, not in reality) alternately. One day one of the fellows sold the sword for about US$1,000 equivalent, (ethereal items from games can be sold on Ebay sometimes for hundreds of dollars and sometimes over a thousand) and when the second one found out he killed the one who sold the sword.

To read the story search using: "Online gamer killed for selling virtual weapon"

the link if allowed:

http://www.smh.com.a...1862440188.html

A very thoughtful and timely post and thanks for the link to the insiteful article. Here's a quote from the article:

Legend of Mir 3 has not yet been released in Australia. MMORPG enthusiasts here are more likely to be playing the very popular Everquest, or a new contender, World of Warcraft.

"These two are both fantasy games, with a niche appeal, but when people get into it they really get into it," Jason Hill explained.

[MaxYakov]

Turn off my World of Tanks and i will cut you!

I'd rather be shot or run-down by one of your tanks, Thank You Very Much!

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

Really, no evidence ? --->

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8

Shed-loads of evidence.

shed loads of bullshit by shady "studies" that were done by either religious nuts or political shills,

google "mice on mars are remote controlling my brain" and you'll get just as much *cough* "evidence as there is for that.

dopamine is released by EVERY pleasurable activity,in fact its released when you're in pain too,

jesus christ when will people stop blaming EVERY little thing in their environment instead of realising that children ARE NOT "SELF RAISING"

you can't just abandon your kids in front of a TV or Xbox and go off on your merry way and work and party til they're 6 foot tall and full of resentment and anger(or mentally ill as in this case) then act surprised when they snap,after spending their whole life without guidance,THEN blame games,tv,drugs,gm food,movies,music, the list is fuc_king endless of the incidentals that spineless people have tried to blame for their own shortcomings.

People make me sick,

I'm not going to apologise for getting heated about it either,all of this drivel is just bullshit shovelled by people without the moral courage to admit they fuc_ked up and take responsibility for their actions,

you need a license for a gun,a license for a car,and a license for your god dam_n tv set,but ANY pair of morons with a working set of genitals are allowed to have kids.

Edit-possibly a little harsh,as no one can really account for true mental illness,but I maintain that people DO need to stand up and take responsibilty for their actions AND their children,blaming games or ANY extraneous environmental force is like a toddler blaming his "invisible friend" for wrecking the house.

Edited November 1, 2012 by QualityTouristNumberOne

[brianP]

There are a large number of individuals who have mental imbalances that even with meds can be a unstable and unpredictable danger to all.

The problem with meds is they take time and proper dosage consistently, and when they work and people presume they are cured and don't need the meds anymore and disaster happens.

My boy has ADHD and i watch him like a hawk and see that his stimulation is not from video but physical exertion and motion!

I know i need to protect him and others from himself. I have a box of bent bullets i have had to bite on hard to show for it!.

[brianP]

Public Health Ministry deputy permanent-secretary Dr Apichai Mongkol said the body releases dopamine hormones when a person is addicted to games, in a similar fashion to being addicted to drugs.

There is absolutely no reliable evidence for this. I can't believe public health officials get away with espousing this sort of politically-motivated hokum.

Really, no evidence ? --->

https://www.google.c...chrome&ie=UTF-8

Shed-loads of evidence.

shed loads of bullshit by shady "studies" that were done by either religious nuts or political shills,

google "mice on mars are remote controlling my brain" and you'll get just as much *cough* "evidence as there is for that.

dopamine is released by EVERY pleasurable activity,in fact its released when you're in pain too,

jesus christ when will people stop blaming EVERY little thing in their environment instead of realising that children ARE NOT "SELF RAISING"

you can't just abandon your kids in front of a TV or Xbox and go off on your merry way and work and party til they're 6 foot tall and full of resentment and anger(or mentally ill as in this case) then act surprised when they snap,after spending their whole life without guidance,THEN blame games,tv,drugs,gm food,movies,music, the list is fuc_king endless of the incidentals that spineless people have tried to blame for their own shortcomings.

People make me sick,

I'm not going to apologise for getting heated about it either,all of this drivel is just bullshit shovelled by people without the moral courage to admit they fuc_ked up and take responsibility for their actions,

you need a license for a gun,a license for a car,and a license for your god dam_n tv set,but ANY pair of morons with a working set of genitals are allowed to have kids.

Edit-possibly a little harsh,as no one can really account for true mental illness,but I maintain that people DO need to stand up and take responsibilty for their actions AND their children,blaming games or ANY extraneous environmental force is like a toddler blaming his "invisible friend" for wrecking the house.

There is a known reality that our environs are a direct impression on our personalities,that time and exposure insure we are ingrained to this stimuli.

Case in point in USA a 60 hour tour of TV shows thousands of simulated acts of violence and death, incurred over a brain washing childhood lifetime and people are tainted! No we can't stick our heads in the sand, but keep em outta our ass. The family unit is being pulled apart at the seams because of media and BAD news and all the stress-full bullshit we buy into. The freakin intelligence of parenting adults now is dipping mighty low, and the quality genetic pools are not fertile as the dumbass fornacaters,some encouraged by stupid religions and ignorance. The studies of twins shows that even some of the intelligent can be very bad SOB's too.