Pokemon’s a No-Go on Bangkok’s Roads

A virtual map of Bryant Park is displayed on the screen as a man plays the augmented reality mobile game ”Pokemon Go” by Nintendo in New York City, U.S. July 11, 2016. Mark Kauzlarich, Reuters

Agence France-Presse

The hunters have become the hunted.

Police in Bangkok announced a crackdown on Monday against Thai drivers playing Pokemon Go following complaints that the craze was bringing further gridlock to an already notoriously congested metropolis.

The mobile app — which encourages users to hit the pavements in search of digital monsters — was made available in Thailand earlier this month delighting many in a country where Japanese subcultures have a significant following.

But the game has since sparked a flurry of headlines in the local press as well as unease among the kingdom’s military leaders.

“The police chief has asked all policemen to detain any Pokemon players who play while using the roads,” deputy national police spokesman Colonel Krissana Pattanacharoen told reporters.

“People have a right to play the game but it must not affect other people’s rights,” he added.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)