Internet Shops Being Rated

[PopsIcafe]

Internet Shops are being rated all over Thailand from what I understand. Pop Pop's Internet today was inspected and graded today. Haven't got the results yet but it looks very good for us. They would like to have the inside cam looking outside at motorbike parking area, which I may do in the near future. I am hoping for a top rating as this will add more to our reputation as the NO. 1 Internet shop in Udon Thani.

Pop's

[BobHelm]

Good luck on the final official rating.
Any idea how long before they release the findings?
Do you get a certificate (with a certain number of stars) to hang up in the shop??
Without asking you to be too critical What did you think of the assessment?

[PopsIcafe]

Not sure how long or when the final results will be in. Yes, they will be giving a certificate and sign showing our rating. Ratings are from 1-3 stars, 3 being the best. They are looking for may things and have even suggested thing that we can improve on to get a rating of 5 in that area. Grading is 1-5 5 being the best. Some of the things they are looking for are, pricing posted (post pricing inside and outside), time open and closing, "No Smoking" signs, bathrooms or WC's in the shop (clean also), and "under 18 can not be on computer before 2 pm and off computer by 10 pm" (which we don't have and told the we needed). They were surprised that we had not but 2 cameras showing inside and outside. They suggested that we have one of the the cameras showing the parking area (to insure less likely theft of motorbikes (since lot of motorbikes get stolen in front of Internet shops). There were so many things we did, that a lot of the other Internet shops don't do, they were very pleased with that. All in All the assessment was done very well and professionally (yep I said professionally because it was). Now the waiting for the results, and it's going to kill me or give ulcers.

Pop's

[cali4995]

In other areas of Thailand , they've been having a lot of problems
with shops as a point of origin for miscreant behavior. This may
not have found it's way to Udon yet but every week these young
thugs are shooting themselves in gang battles, smoking yaba
and generally causing mayhem. Whether or not it's related to the
internet cafe is debatable. Violent games can't be helping.

http://www.pattayamail.com/current/news.shtml#hd13

[PopsIcafe]

To start off with, where are you getting the information of shooting and mayhem???? The article you gave the link doesn't mention any shootings or battles among gangs. The article just mention that a raid was done at an Internet shop after midnight (which should have been closed) with kids under the age of 18 and drugs. Internet shops have to close by midnight, kids under 18 have to be off and out of the shop by 10 pm, that is the law. There has been Internet shops here in Udon Thani that have been caught by the police for being open past midnight, and having kids under 18 on the computers before 2 pm and after 10 pm (but none that I know of that involved drugs only betting). My wife and I have been operating this Internet shop going on 4 years and have never seen here in Udon Thani has shootings been do at Internet shops (granted that can happen, especially with drugs are involved, that's anywhere). I guess my point is, don't add to something that isn't there in the article.

Pop's

[cali4995]

Pop's, I'm sure you and your wife run a highly respectable operation.
I can easily reference many, many articles on teens and gang
fighting with guns and knives in other areas of thailand as my post
said. It's common knowledge that they are looking at online gaming
and the lack of curfew enforcement at some establishments as but
one factor involved in the overall problem. Don't take it personally.

[PopsIcafe]

I didn't take it personal cali, just that the news link you reference to, didn't say anything about shootings or gangs. Yes I do know of happenings in Bangkok especially of Internet shops harboring kids who have ran away from home. They end up living in the Internet shops, really sad that happens. So far I haven't seen or read anything where there has been gang fights or shootings at Internet shops, but I do know of killings because of a game, such as the taxi driver killed recently. But the happens all over the world. Kid 17 kills himself because he lost valuable items in Ever Quest. In Japan a person dies after playing for days with very little sleep and food. Bangkok (recently also) a staff member at an Internet shop finds a customer dead at the computer. I'm hoping, but not holding my breath, that these unannounced inspection will help. There only one thing....don't think they are safe from viruses, adware, malware, or keyloggers even if they do have a million star revue.

Pop's

PS cali I still love ya

[RALPHCUSENS]

Pops Wrote; "PS cali I still love ya Laughing Laughing Laughing"

Pops, you old tart,

[cali4995]

Udon is somewhat of a peaceful enclave but in Bangkok or
especially Patters, it's literally a weekly event with the kids
fighting with each other ending up in hospital with gunshot
wounds etc., I think they're kind of grasping at straws with the
internet shops but you have to admit there is a reason they
are going around, inspecting the shops, particularly cctv
placement viewing the parking area? Unusual to say the least.
My only point is I don't believe the inspections are related to
providing the community with a ratings index, they are designed
I think to bring the rogue shops more into compliance.

Generally related reference articles:

http://www.pattayaone.net/news_04_07_51_2.html

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownew ... 0000006923

http://www.pattayapeople.com/default.as ... icle=13191

[cali4995]

For the record, I wish to reiterate, it's obvious Mr Pop's and his wife
run a clean shop and abide by the rules and furthur, provide info
concerning gov't regulations and their ever changing enforcement. It
was not my intention to detract from the good reputation of this shop.

The concern over internet shops is a nationwide issue, with many
of these places allowing kids to lay-out of school or stay up through
the night playing games. It's thought by some that this is contributing
to the increasing delinquent behavior. Drinking, drug-use and fighting.

[PopsIcafe]

Cali your are right about the coming into compliance....it's now going to stop violence...or the drugs but it's a start. The only thing is getting the shops to come into compliance. but this can't happen if the a shop gets a city official to doctor the shop's documents in order open across the street from a school. It's stated that a shop can not open within 100 meters of a school or wat (I heard a rumor that it will be changed to 500 meters, grandfathered).

The use of the cctv is to cut down on the motorbike thefts and if a motorbike is stolen they can see the culprit. This will help, maybe, to apprehend the thief. It will also give comfort to the customer knowing that is motorbike is much safer than at a shop without the cctv. Thieves tend to have second thoughts when they see a camera.

One of the reasons and possible the main reason that seedy shops let kids play before or after hours is MONEY!!!!!! They have even let the kids move into and live int the back of the shops. There are shops that allow gambling on the computers. I caught one customer playing a gambling game and had him stop playing, he then left with several baht on his ticket. Just recently they closed a gaming shop that was doing online gambling. I saw the game that was being played, that is the same game the customer here was playing, but no more.

Now for the local authorities to use the laws to make these Internet and play station2 shops to comply with the laws.

1. children under the age of 18 can not be on the computers before 2:00 pm and must be off the computers by 10:00 pm. (20,000 baht first offense: 2nd offense 20,000 baht and/or closed for 15 days, 3rd offense: closed down)

2. Can not open a Internet or play station 2 shop with in 100 meters of a school or wat.

3. Must have price posted.

4. Must have "Smoking" signs in the shop.

5. Must have a bathroom or WC and must be clean.

6. Operating hours are from 8:30 am to 12:00 am.

7. Operating permit must be visible for all to see.

These are some of what the shops have to adhere to but lot of the don't. With these inspection and ratings, should be a start to deter some of the illegal activities and even possibly close some the shops. As far as the kids using the games as an excuse to commit crimes, well, find another excuse to do the same crimes. There are now 10 games banded in Thailand. I know that GTA IV, God of War, and Godfather are banned. My wife got a list of the play station 2 games and my brother-in-law pulled them for the shelf, no longer in the shop. (He pulled all of his GTA from the shelf even though only GTA IV is banned).

Just remember, be safe when using computers that are not yours. You don't know what is on that computer.

Pop's

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Here in a small internet cafe in Bangkok on Pacharajbumphen Road, I had to fill out a form before I could use their computer. They want my name, address, telephone number and passport number. The passport was photocopied.

Most of the users here are very young teenagers, two girls and one boy and one old geezer - me!

Cost for one hour - 15 baht.

[BobHelm]

Me just being me Tilokarat but I would avoid like the plague any internet shop that asked me to do that. I can understand why the owner would maybe want that information to protect himself against you doing anything illegal on his computer but if he was unscrupulous that (along with a bit of 'key logging' on the pc you were on) is a great deal of information towards ID theft...

[PopsIcafe]

Would have to agree with BH there, it was unnecessary to give out that information. I have no understanding for that, a hotel yes but an Internet shop....nah!!!! I would have walked out and not say a thing. If you had walked out, I'm sure the shop owner and/or staff member would have done a 180 and let you use the computer without that information.

Pop's

[trubrit]

Can I rate POP_POPS as the cheapest nooner bar in town.

[monkeyman]

If I had to use an internet shop it would definately be Pop's internet cafe'

A Falaang managed business by someone that everyone knows,

Read the article below and think twice when you travel outside of Udon, I am sure I used the shop in the article below last time I went to Bangkok.

(From Stickman)

I have long mentioned concerns about using internet cafes in Bangkok as many of the computers in these spots are riddled with spyware, keystroke loggers and the like, allowing the person who installed such programs to get access to any accounts you access online

[PopsIcafe]

I have not nor will I use another computer to do banking, only on mine. The best advice Stickman gave was to use your own laptop.....that is the safest way, not 100% but safer than an Internet shop. I scan my computers every morning for viruses, spyware, adware, and keyloggers. I try my best to keep them clean and safe from my customers. But even I can not guarantee 100% safety and any Internet shop that says they can, run as fast as you can. There is no Internet shop or cafe in this world that can guarantee 100% safety.

Pop's

[mr.d]

Well Guess What Guys.
This is from the Bangkok Post, Wednesday the 13th
I'm glad I do not own an internet cafe.


CYBER CRIME

Internet data law goes into force Aug 23
individual-OUA LAOHONG

From Aug 23, private firms, organisations and government agencies will be required to store all internet traffic data for 90 days so it is available as digital evidence for police. Pol Col Yannapol Youngyuen, commander of the Bureau of Technology and Cyber Crime at the Department of Special Investigation, said the IT Ministry order has no exceptions and will include banks, hotels, schools and internet cafes.

He said digital evidence gathered from computers is useful in tracking those engaged in cyber crime.

Cyber offences, ranging from email forwarding of pornographic pictures to posting libellous messages on forums, are on the rise, Pol Col Yannapol said, but police agencies find it hard to gather the evidence to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He said internet cafes will also be required to collect information to identify computer users, such as ID cards, time of logging in and sites visited. Shops that fail to heed the rules will face fines up to 500,000 baht, he said.

[redbeard]

I can give Pops a big thumbs up 2years ago I needed to check my bank ac in Aus urgently so I asked Pop and he set me up on a safe computer and after I finished wiped clean the cache and I have never had a problem because of it ,so thanks again Pop

[yorkman]

Cali your are right about the coming into compliance....it's now going to stop violence...or the drugs but it's a start. The only thing is getting the shops to come into compliance. but this can't happen if the a shop gets a city official to doctor the shop's documents in order open across the street from a school. It's stated that a shop can not open within 100 meters of a school or wat (I heard a rumor that it will be changed to 500 meters, grandfathered).

The use of the cctv is to cut down on the motorbike thefts and if a motorbike is stolen they can see the culprit. This will help, maybe, to apprehend the thief. It will also give comfort to the customer knowing that is motorbike is much safer than at a shop without the cctv. Thieves tend to have second thoughts when they see a camera.

One of the reasons and possible the main reason that seedy shops let kids play before or after hours is MONEY!!!!!! They have even let the kids move into and live int the back of the shops. There are shops that allow gambling on the computers. I caught one customer playing a gambling game and had him stop playing, he then left with several baht on his ticket. Just recently they closed a gaming shop that was doing online gambling. I saw the game that was being played, that is the same game the customer here was playing, but no more.

Now for the local authorities to use the laws to make these Internet and play station2 shops to comply with the laws.

1. children under the age of 18 can not be on the computers before 2:00 pm and must be off the computers by 10:00 pm. (20,000 baht first offense: 2nd offense 20,000 baht and/or closed for 15 days, 3rd offense: closed down)

2. Can not open a Internet or play station 2 shop with in 100 meters of a school or wat.

3. Must have price posted.

4. Must have "Smoking" signs in the shop.

5. Must have a bathroom or WC and must be clean.

6. Operating hours are from 8:30 am to 12:00 am.

7. Operating permit must be visible for all to see.

These are some of what the shops have to adhere to but lot of the don't. With these inspection and ratings, should be a start to deter some of the illegal activities and even possibly close some the shops. As far as the kids using the games as an excuse to commit crimes, well, find another excuse to do the same crimes. There are now 10 games banded in Thailand. I know that GTA IV, God of War, and Godfather are banned. My wife got a list of the play station 2 games and my brother-in-law pulled them for the shelf, no longer in the shop. (He pulled all of his GTA from the shelf even though only GTA IV is banned).

Just remember, be safe when using computers that are not yours. You don't know what is on that computer.

Pop's

And soon.... with DSL been available all around Udon ( I have) internet shops (cafes) will be in the past. Try a wireless connection for free if you are near the University