The Bhumjaithai Party has raised suspicions over the timing of a new order legalizing tournament poker play in Thailand, suggesting the move was rushed to legitimize a previously unauthorized poker event.
According to the Bangkok Post, Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai signed an order on July 30th revoking a decades-old ban on poker tournaments, just one day before an international poker event took place. The new directive, Interior Ministry Order No.2253/2568, officially permits poker contests under controlled conditions, framing them as sporting competitions aimed at boosting tourism.
Bhumjaithai MP Korrawee Prissananantakul, who chairs the House Committee on Provincial Administration, expressed concern about the timing of the order. He noted that organizers of the July 31st poker tournament appeared unusually confident they would secure approval, despite not having applied for permission in advance. Authorities were initially told the event would be postponed, but it was only delayed by one day.
Korrawee questioned why the Ministry, which is tasked with preventing gambling, acted so swiftly to facilitate a poker event, suggesting there may have been undue influence. “Although some argue poker is a sport, there was evidence of gambling, with cash prizes and online betting promoted via various websites,” he said.
The MP called for the issue to be reconsidered by the Interior Ministry and noted the need for equal urgency in addressing challenges in Thailand’s struggling border regions.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong defended the move, stating it was part of a formal process to classify poker as a sport, not a general legalization of gambling. He emphasized that the order does not cover cash games and that tournament poker remains subject to strict conditions under Category B of the Gambling Act.
“Poker can only be played during sanctioned events, and only after a formal Poker Sports Association is established,” Sorawong said.
