Clamp down on Phuket internet game shops

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Clamp down on Phuket internet game shops
Nattha Thepbamrung


Three internet shops have already been closed following the clamp down.

PHUKET: -- Phuket officials are considering revoking the licences of 21 exsisting internet game shops after concerns have been raised that they could be operating illegally and letting youngsters access inappropriate content. Three shops have already had their licences revoked.

The announcement was made at a provincial committee meeting chaired by Vice Governor Panlop Singhasanee yesterday (April 8).

Speaking at the meeting, V/G Panlop said, “The governor (Nisit Jansomwong) is very concerned about this matter. He has stressed that the committee must strictly check each shop before approving a license.

“It is now the school holidays, and children like to use cyber cafes and game shops during this time.

“Some children may spend a whole day in these places, and we̕re aware that some of them allow the kids to view inappropriate content and also sell alcohol.

“They also try to hide what they are doing inside shops by closing the windows with curtains or thick black film.”

According to the Motion Pictures and Video Act B.E. 2008:

Game shops must be in a permanent building located in a safe location.

The inside must be visible from the outside.

The operator must install electric short circuit safety systems and CCTVs, and there should be at least one fire extinguisher on each floor.

Walking spaces must be enough for all customers and a proper restroom must be provided.

There are also certain conditions which must be met such as:

The equipment used for playing games must be safe for the eyes

Noise levels must be controlled as per the law

Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are not allowed to be sold in the shop

Smoking, drug taking and drinking alcohol is not permitted.

Any gamble is illegal.

The operator of the shop must control the media content available.

Films not suitable for theose under 20, pornography and videos not approved by the NCPO are not allowed.

It was revealed at the meeting that the three game shops that had their licenses revoked were Games Internet, PK Net and T & L Computer.

They were revoked because the inside of the shops were visible from the outside.

In addition, there are also nine karaoke shops which could possibly have their licenses revoked and these will be decided at a meeting being held today (April 9).

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/clamp-down-on-phuket-internet-game-shops-51796.php


-- Phuket News 2015-04-09

[Aachen]

"The inside must be visible from the outside."

but:

"They were revoked because the inside of the shops were visible from the outside."

[MarkB]

Proofreading.... springs to mind

[lostinisaan]

"The inside must be visible from the outside."

but:

"They were revoked because the inside of the shops were visible from the outside."

The article must be written by a Thai English teacher. Then it makes sense.

Alcohol, cigarettes and drugs are not allowed to be sold in the shop

Does that mean that they may sell drugs in front, or behind the shops?

[Commerce]

"Films not suitable for theose under 20, pornography and videos not approved by the NCPO are not allowed."

So the NCPO approves some porn?

[NamKangMan]

Which one is more serious, a "clamp down" or a "crack down?"