A little bit of gambling now legal in Thailand

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Thailand Legalizes Buffalo Racing and Traditional Card Games Under New Gambling Rules

By Kittisak Phalaharn

12 October, 2024

On October 10th, 2024, Thailand’s Royal Gazette published ministerial regulations under the Gambling Act, legalizing gambling under the traditional Buffalo Racing Festival (known as “wu laan”) to take place between 6 PM and 6 AM.

The regulation aims to align with local customs, particularly in regions where Buffalo Racing is a nighttime tradition, such as Phetchaburi Province. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed provincial governors to ensure compliance with the law, focusing on promoting tourism, job creation, and preserving local traditions.

Strict guidelines are in place to prevent animal abuse, drug use, and underage gambling. The regulation also authorizes 23 additional traditional games with specific time limits, including:

* Boxing and Wrestling between 12 PM and 12 AM
* Ring Toss from 7 AM to 12 AM
* Bingo from 7 AM to 12 AM
* Mahjong, Tile Games, and Card Games, including poker, from 12 PM to 12 AM on Sundays, and 6 PM to 12 AM on other days

Each game is restricted to specified hours and locations as outlined in the permit. The government’s intention is to regulate these games while enhancing local tourism, ensuring public safety, and preventing illegal activities such as drug use and youth delinquency, remarked Anutin.

TPN media notes that games need proper regulation and permission from local authorities.

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/10/12/t ... ing-rules/

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Just to clarify, private gambling games, including card games, are still illegal without permission. Of course, I have not seen anything that tells just what entity gives permission, how to get it, and how to prove you have proper permission in case of any problems including a police raid.

In other words, if you want to gamble, go to Las Vegas, but you're better off finding something else to do in Thailand.