Thailand's government is taking a crucial step towards legalizing poker, allowing it to be conducted under specific conditions as an international competitive event. The Minister of Interior and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has signed an order to revoke the old ban on poker games, paving the way for its development in Thailand.
According to The Nation, this move aims to promote the development of poker as a competitive sport and lay the legal groundwork for Thailand to host international events in the future. However, Phumtham emphasized that this policy relaxation is still transitional, and full legalization still requires the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory system.
He acknowledged that although poker is still a sensitive issue in Thailand, several organizations around the world have defined it as a competitive sport. He pointed out that while poker involves elements of luck, it is fundamentally a competition that heavily relies on skill. Full authorization can only be possible under clear legal boundaries and strict regulation.
It is noteworthy that the government plans to establish a new committee responsible for reviewing relevant legal provisions and overseeing the management and enforcement of poker activities. Phumtham clearly stated, "Poker can be accepted as a competitive sport, but it must be handled carefully, and inappropriate practices must be prohibited."
He further emphasized that this lifting of the ban is limited to poker and does not imply a relaxation of all forms of gambling. The current decision is just an initial attempt towards establishing a regulated system, and Thailand does not intend to fully advance the legalization of gambling in the future.
