Only a month after recognizing poker as legal, the Thai government reverses course
Poker enthusiasts in Thailand are facing a setback after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reinstated a nationwide ban on poker games. The decision, announced on Wednesday, immediately overturned a previous order from former interior minister Phumtham Wechayachai that had briefly legalized poker in the country. The reversal is part of Anutin’s broader effort to crack down on all forms of gambling, fulfilling a pledge his administration made in late September.
Anutin, who also serves as Thailand’s interior minister, has been vocal about his opposition to gambling liberalization. Shortly after taking office earlier this year, he made it clear that he disagreed with using gambling as an economic stimulus, a stance that directly contrasts with recent attempts by other lawmakers to bring regulated gaming into Thailand’s economy.
The latest order marks a sharp shift from the direction the country appeared to be taking earlier in 2024, when discussions about legalizing casino resorts gained momentum. Lawmakers had floated the idea of allowing integrated casino projects to attract tourism and generate revenue, but the proposal was withdrawn from parliament in July amid political turbulence.
That turmoil intensified when Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party exited the previous coalition government led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra in June. A month later, the Constitutional Court confirmed Shinawatra’s removal from power, dealing another blow to the pro-casino faction. Earlier this week, Shinawatra officially stepped down as leader of the Pheu Thai Party, which had been one of the strongest advocates for legalizing gambling operations.
For now, poker and other gambling-related activities in Thailand return to the status of prohibited conduct. The government’s renewed stance effectively halts any progress toward a regulated gaming industry, signaling a long road ahead for advocates hoping to bring poker back to the table legally.
