Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as interior minister, has banned poker, reversing his Pheu Thai predecessor’s decision to decriminalise it just over two months ago.
The ministerial order signed by Mr Anutin was in line with the government’s policy platform announced on Sept 29 to suppress all forms of gambling, including those disguised as sports, according to the Department of Provincial Administration.
Mr Anutin also rescinded the order allowing poker tournaments, signed by Phumtham Wechayachai on July 30, according to the Department of Provincial Administration
Mr Phumtham took over the interior minister’s post from Mr Anutin when the Bhumjaithai Party left the former Pheu Thai-led coalition government.
Bhumjaithjai pointed out at the time that the order signed by Mr Phumtham just happened to coincide with a poker tournament that went ahead a day after it was signed.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports subsequently clarified that poker would be played only as a sport, with oversight from an authorised association.
Sorawong Thienthong, the minister at the time, said the lifting of the 67-year-old ban was not the legalisation of gambling in general.
The Pheu Thai Party had also pushed hard to legalise casino gambling, another policy that Bhumjaithai opposed.
Source: Bangkok Post