IN A SHARP about-turn Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order today (Oct. 22) completely banning international and Chinese poker in the country after a move to legalise it just a few months ago, TV Channel 7 said.
This is in keeping with his coalition government’s policy agenda which he delivered to Parliament on Sep. 29 wherein he said it is their social policy to seriously suppress all forms of illegal gambling, discourage the set up of entertainment complexes that incorporate gambling business and gambling disguised as sports, such as poker.
Anutin exercised power under Section 17 of the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935) to revoke Interior Minister Order No. 2253/2568 dated July 30, 2025 and suspended the issuance of permits completely with this taking immediate effect.
In early August this year then acting prime minister-cum-interior minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed an order revoking a ministerial announcement to legalise poker with the aim of hosting international sporting events in the country but legislative details were still to be studied.
As this is a sensitive issue, the Council of State was to review this key step to ensure appropriateness while regulations could be repealed to hold poker competition, Phumtham, who is considered the right-hand man of Pheu Thai’s de facto boss-turned-inmate Thaksin Shinawatra, had said, adding that he was not at all concerned about taking this step.
CAPTION:
Playing card games. Image above – Mariakray from Pixabay, Front Page – Joachim Kirchner from Pixabay
Also read:
Phumtham lifts ban on poker but details still be worked out
Poker recognised as an official sport in Thailand
Paetongtarn resigns as Pheu Thai leader
Anutin might dissolve House to avoid responding to Cambodia-based scammer issue
House might be dissolved sooner than expected due to ‘factors’
Scammers have moved their base from Cambodia to Thailand: Magazine
