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Can you play poker in Bangkok, even casually or for fun?

Thailand Bangkok Poker Visa Issues Gambling Laws Casinos Expat Life Illegal Activities

May 17, 2024

7 months ago

Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is it possible to play poker somewhere in Bangkok or the surrounding area?  Not necessarily for money.  But maybe you know someone who organizes tournaments for fun or for entry fees?  PS.  If anyone would like to play, please PM me.

please don't talk about gambling.  poker is not gambling

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion reveals that playing poker in Thailand, including Bangkok, is illegal regardless of whether it involves betting or not. Multiple commenters emphasize the strict enforcement of gambling laws, which include severe penalties for possessing playing cards without the appropriate tax stamps. Alternatives for poker enthusiasts mentioned include traveling to casinos in Cambodia, specifically in Poipet, where gambling is permitted. Overall, it is advised for expats to avoid playing poker in Thailand to avoid legal issues.

Rune *******************

go boarder cambodia

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Marcus ************

Gambling is illegal. But lottery tickets are all the craze 😂🤣

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Jack *************

Tell me you are a losing/gambling poker player without telling me you are a losing player 🤣 no winning/professional player would ever waste their time with free poker 🤣

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jack ************

damn how stupid are you? Drank?

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Jack *************

@Michael *******

drank? Drank what? Lmao.

Not stupid at all bro. Just made a living from poker for the past 7 years and can tell just by the way you talk about poker you are a losing player. So for you poker is very much gambling.

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Jack *************

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Gary ********

The Thai government is considering licensing 5 super entertainment resorts which will include casinos and gambling....whilst taking 17% tax on profits.

This will boost tourism numbers and make people choose Thailand above other Asian countries.

In a vote it seems they are very heavily in favour of this with over 90% agreeing that it would be a great generator of tourism and money into the country. Might be 3 or 4 years yet though but looks like it could actually happen.

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Christopher *************

Go home if you want to do that , Thailand doesn't need you

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Cody *********

People in Bangkok don’t commit crimes.

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Gary *****

@Michael *******

you are a fool and will definitely get arrested for playing poker or almost any other game my wife has been to the monkey house for playing dominoes….Fact

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Imona ******

stupidest dumbest 'law' ever made on earth

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Gary *****

sir

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Gary *****

I stand corrected

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

why have you called me fool?

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Gary *****

@Michael *******

because every single person who’s been or lived in Thailand knows you live by their rules and standards or it will cost you

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

it's not true at all

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Gary *****

Simple

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

if you're not foolish you no need to be muppet

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Michael ********

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Gary *****

it’s there rules every country has stupid rules

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Imona ******

their*

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Imona ******

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Jim *******

Very good poker rooms in Cambodia

Daily tournaments and cash tables starting at $1-$1

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

nl100 is too big stakes, have smaller?

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Michael ********

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Carlos *********

There's an app for that.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Carlos ********

what app

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Carlos *********

@Michael *******

online poker

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Carlos ********

what app exactly

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Michael ********

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Aaron *******

There are several casinos in Poipet, Cambodia at Thailand Border. As long as you stay in this internationally zoned area, Thais don't need to go through either Thai or Cambodia immigration. Less certain about non-Thais. I've been to the very large flea market at Poipet and didn't need to deal with either countries immigration. PS. I've read there very very tough on collecting casino debts in Cambodia.

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Gary *****

Exactly

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

need visa

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Michael ********

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Chris *******

I think just playing that here is illegal

I would check with authorities

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Luigi ***********

Of Course.

Rama 1 Road Headquater RTP Bangkok.

They will be there ready to serve multiple croupiers at the gaming tables.

Baccarat - Pocker - Chamain the fair - Roulette and Slot Machines. 😅😅😅

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Luigi **********

really?

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Michael ********

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Frank **********

Obviously you do not want to follow the laws in Thailand, just like with your post about motorbikes. Perhaps you should find a country better suited for you, or you can play cards and suffer the consequences if you get caught.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

with motorbike i had rights. With this is another case and I didn't know. Btw this is ridiculous that in country where sluts are everywhere and you can f*ck girls and lb you can't have cards in home. Stupidity

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Pertti *************

@Michael *******

You should correct your attitude here. we are outside guests and we came here ourselves. There's no need to come here whining that things should be different. But this card thing was good information so readers who don't know can avoid difficulties🙏

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Frank **********

@Michael *******

I understand what you are saying but even in the US there are laws still on the books from the 1800's that are stupid and can be enforced if they wanted to. Example is a Civil War law that states tried to use against Trump.

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Frank **********

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Gabriel ********

All of the comments here discussing the illegality of playing cards without stamps and gambling (be it actual or otherwise) is 100% true and these laws are vigorously enforced…interestingly, as recently as 2010 there was a full fledged casino operating in Silom complete w video poker, roulette and baccarat tables with cocktail waitresses in branded uniforms

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Kool *******

@Gabriel *******

don't forget to mention it was raided, and shut down that same year...lolol.

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Gabriel ********

close here, open there….if the right guy owns it gambling is legal

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Gabriel ********

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Janet **********

Go to funerals in small villages. They play cards for money, but probably not poker. I have never heard of a problem.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Janet *********

funerals?

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Janet **********

@Michael *******

yep. My husband is Thai and we live in a small village. More than 50% (guessing) of funerals there have gambling.

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Janet **********

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Steven *******

It’s illegal to possess more than 2 decks of playing cards regardless of what you intend to do with them.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

even if this is minions card decks

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Michael ********

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Av **********

U know playing cards are illegal and if your seen with them you can be charged as gambling etc. You can buy legal cards has to have the govt stamp on it

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Imona ******

you're

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

show me how it looks like

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Michael ********

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Jack *************

I play professionally and know what you are saying by saying it’s not gambling HOWEVER for the vast majority of players it is. Over 90% of all poker players are losing players. Also it’s irrelevant the Thai government classifies it as gambling so whether or not you and I believe it is gambling is irrelevant. The reality is poker in Thailand to the letter of the law is illegal.

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Gary *****

@Jack ************

100%

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Gary *****

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Ken *************

As I understand it, if you even have more than two decks of cards in your possession without the proper stamp you could be in trouble.

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Gary *****

@Ken ************

Definitely 100%

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Phil ******

@Ken ************

as I remember its against the law to play with more than 2 deck of cards. Its a law dating back to the 30's.

"The members had broken a 1935 law, the Playing Cards Act, which prohibits individuals from possessing more than 120 playing cards, Pattaya One said.

The president of Thailand's bridge league has travelled to Pattaya to explain to police how bridge is played, the paper added.

Thailand has strict anti-gambling laws, with nearly all forms of gambling prohibited"

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ken ************

haha 😁 impossible, even in Thailand can't be that insane foolish rules

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

"The members had broken a 1935 law, the Playing Cards Act, which prohibits individuals from possessing more than 120 playing cards, Pattaya One said.

The president of Thailand's bridge league has travelled to Pattaya to explain to police how bridge is played, the paper added.

Thailand has strict anti-gambling laws, with nearly all forms of gambling prohibited"

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

what if smn selling cards? And cards for kids are prohibited either? What a stupid rule.

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

many many adults have cards. Just telling you the rules here so you don't get arrested and booted out of Thailand and not allowed to return for 5 years.

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Phil ******

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Ken *************

@Michael *******

I generally don't like using Wikipedia, but it is referring to the 1943 playing cards act. The link does give references.

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%20Playing%20Cards%20Act%20is,sunset%20to%20conduct%20a%20search.

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Ken *************

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Ken *************

I remember this. I think a local wasn't happy with the bridge organization and reported them. The police basically shot first then asked questions. Once the dust settled the police learned there wasn't anything wrong they had lost face.

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Erik *******

Card games including poker are strictly forbidden in Thailand. And it is strictly enforced: numerous examples in the past few years. If you want to play poker, you need to change country.

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Gary *****

and that is Fact 100%

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Gary *****

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Jamie *********

Go loas there’s a casino on the border

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jamie ********

too far and visa needed, not worth

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Michael ********

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Kool *******

Any playing cards must have the government tax stamp on them. You can buy legal decks of cards at 7-11s. This is not a joke. It is very real.

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Michael ********

have you read the warning on it. Very funny

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John ***********

I've talked to people in prison for playing cards. Not even kids play cards outdoors. The mere presence of a pack of cards is dangerous.

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Gary *****

@John **********

fact

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Gary *****

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

what stamp? Show me

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Kool *******

@Michael *******

*************************************************

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Gabriel ********

@Michael *******

he’s 100% correct

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Gabriel ********

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Markus **********

10 years here. Didn't know that. Very interesting

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Markus **********

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Jorge ****

Card games are viewed by the authorities as gambling, and money or not, they'll haul the players to jail. Not worth the risk.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

don't believe 😁 show me proof

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Steve *****

@Michael *******

ask the tourist police

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Brandon ************

@Michael *******

someone already linked you an article

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Jorge ****

@Michael *******

I have no proof other than what I hear from the local themselves. So take as "hearsay" and play a few hands at the public park.

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Jorge ****

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Derek *********

’they’ do not like cards in Thailand

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Jorge ****

@Derek ********

precisely

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Jorge ****

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Derek *********

go to Vientiane 60 k out of town a casino

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Derek ********

too far

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Jorge ****

@Derek ********

yes, but the op cited BKK.

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Jorge ****

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CjandBrigitte **********

Gambling is illegal in Thailand, only card game you'll find is bridge.

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Maurice **********

Go to Ihanoukville. 72deuce poker

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Maurice **********

@CjandBrigitte *********

not long anymore.

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Gary *****

@CjandBrigitte *********

it’s illegal to just play in Thailand you will definitely be arrested ….even more so if you are a foreigner/ Alien

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CjandBrigitte **********

exactly!

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CjandBrigitte **********

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Damien ********

@CjandBrigitte *********

you know very little about Thailand !

Gambling is in every city and town

Cards, rooster fighting , boxing gambling is played by thousands of Thais

You say it’s illegal

Sos riding a bike without a helmet

No one cares

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Jason *******

@Damien *******

it is important to respect traditions, to respect the people and the land. Whether or not someone plays cards, and gambles, has absolutely nothing to do with showing any respect towards Thailand, or any other country. These are two totally different topics.

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CjandBrigitte **********

@Damien *******

Are you referring to the local Thai people or Farang? Different rules exist.

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Damien ********

@CjandBrigitte *********

I’ve gambled with Thais and farang .

It’s illegal like not wearing a helmet

Many Thais and farang don’t care

But it’s EVERYWHERE in Thailand and always will be

Break the rules

Mai pen rai

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CjandBrigitte **********

@Damien *******

We are guests of this beautiful country and whether people break rules or not or not we respect the rules and laws of Thailand and live our lives here according to Thai laws. Just because you can break the rules doesn't mean you should. Your choice, your risk.

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@CjandBrigitte *********

if I have kids and wife I'm still guest? 😜😜

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Jason *******

@CjandBrigitte *********

what are you talking about ???

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Damien *******

in my country was illegal either but we meet together and play, we had also a poker league

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Michael ********

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Damien *******

you know, I meant play with friends, ordinary, not with mafia organization

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Michael ********

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Jeff *******

@CjandBrigitte *********

haha you need to get out more, in every bar the girls will either be playing slots on their phones or cards out the back, of many many different types.

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CjandBrigitte **********

As you said, Thai people. Different rules apply here as you well know.

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CjandBrigitte **********

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Chris ******

@CjandBrigitte *********

as is Prostitution ,so cant be that difficult .

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CjandBrigitte **********

Probably not. But I always remember that even though I am retired in Thailand, we are still visitors here. Thailand wont change because we live here. We live here and follow the Thai way.

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CjandBrigitte **********

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@CjandBrigitte *********

who talking about gambling?

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

except Bridge all card games are viewed as gambling. Even Bridge people have been arrested and fined previously

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Damien ********

bullshit ! U made that up

Thousands of Thais gamble everyday

Cards , rooster fights etc

No problem

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Phil ******

@Damien *******

sure but its illegal here. Look at the links I've posted. All this has happen ed in the last 10 years

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Paul *******

What about the UNO card game?

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Sue **********

the same, just don‘t play in public, then its ok.

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Phil ******

yep. The police even cracked down on darts in pulbs at one stage by taking all the dart boards and advised publican they needed a permit...

Only there wasn't a permit in existance

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

dart? 🎯

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

yes

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

where is gambling in dart?

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Terry ********

@Michael *******

there is gambling in ANYTHING. You just need to have at least two or more people willing to make a wager.

Go to Singapore or Laos to gamble legally

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

police returned the dart boards after a time. Dont ask me about gambling. I don't enforce laws. Some time ago foreigners were referred to as Aliens in the Kingdom. Always remember we are guests and can be booted out

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Chris ******

and we are still referred too as aliens in the Kingdom 🙏

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

haha GAMBLING!! 🤣🤣 And violence!!

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

no, poker isn't gambling and you can play for fun.

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Jeffrey **********

@Michael *******

Have your lawyer tell that to the judge when you're in court for breaking the law

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Michael ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeffrey *********

what?

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Phil ******

@Michael *******

i know this but the government doesn't see it that way. People were arrested a few years ago for playing bridge in Pattaya and no money involved. The Bridge club of Thailand met with the pm over this.

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852

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Phil ******

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