Card Playing in Thailand

[krisb]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over Songkran.
Selling cards outside of songkran is also illegal.

In fact even a game like bingo is illegal except on songkran.

If a cop sees you guys playing cards, expect big ploblem. I saw a lady do a week jail for playing that game gor gai 1 week before songkran started and this was in a pretty quiet Issan village. Word gets around and the cops pounced.

[krisb]

I agree there is no sense to such a law. I think it clearly states that you cannot have several decks of cards which are not licensed.
 

Playing Cards Act BE 2486
 
Section 8. No person shall possess more than one hundred and twenty playing cards or sell playing cards irrespective of their quantity, unless those
playing cards have been produced by, or have been stamped with the seal of, the Excise Department.
 
Section 14 bis. Whoever violates section 6, section 8 or section 9 shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not exceeding three years or to a fine in an amount of four times of the price of the playing cards of the same kind sold by the Excise Department but not less than five hundred Baht or to both.

 

I came through customs one with a box of playing cards from a mate who is the manager of a casino. 12 packs in total and they did look at them but said nothing.
 
I was caught playing poker in a bar once with lots of chips(good quality) on the table. They took us away, realized we weren't gullible tourists and let us off, even coming back to the bar and drinking with us until 2 am.
 
The police really only care if you encroach on their business. My next door neighbour is a croupier in a casino that changes location every couple of weeks in Khon Kaen. On my soi, there are two betting shops. There is horse racing every Sunday. Lottery, need I go on? There are many laws which are not enforced like prostitution and gambling. Some people get overly paranoid about gambling.

Famous last words.
I think more a case of getting to relaxed about Thai gambling laws.

[h90]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over Songkran.
Selling cards outside of songkran is also illegal.

In fact even a game like bingo is illegal except on songkran.

If a cop sees you guys playing cards, expect big ploblem. I saw a lady do a week jail for playing that game gor gai 1 week before songkran started and this was in a pretty quiet Issan village. Word gets around and the cops pounced.

 

So considering that it is true that 7/11 sells the cards (as someone posted), 7/11 is doing something illegal?

[Neeranam]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over Songkran.
Selling cards outside of songkran is also illegal.

In fact even a game like bingo is illegal except on songkran.

If a cop sees you guys playing cards, expect big ploblem. I saw a lady do a week jail for playing that game gor gai 1 week before songkran started and this was in a pretty quiet Issan village. Word gets around and the cops pounced.

Are you serious?

 

Read the previous posts.

[krisb]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

[h90]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

[Neeranam]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

I have heard of the Songkran thing. Maybe you mean playing cards for money I'd say 90% of 7/11s sell them, but I have been given strange looks before when buying them.

[Neeranam]

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

Edited August 10, 2014 by Neeranam

[benalibina]

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

Years ago i bought a couple decks of playing cards in Jungceylon, Patong beach, at a liquer/tobaccostore opposite of Carrefour. No problems, so to say any shop selling cards illegally is not correct IMO.

[krisb]

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

Years ago i bought a couple decks of playing cards in Jungceylon, Patong beach, at a liquer/tobaccostore opposite of Carrefour. No problems, so to say any shop selling cards illegally is not correct IMO.

 

 

I bought a pack just before last songkran, he was hesitant to sell them to me, but did.

I don't think I said it was illegal to sell cards, but there is something going on about the selling of them cause they are kept out of view. Not sure what the scoop is on that side of it.

 

 

[krisb]

 

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

Funny you mention UNO, great game. I took a pack last holiday and we had to play the game inside. Not joking, illegal. It's a card game. Even bingo is illegal.

 

I know you're starting to laugh at it all now, but it's true.

 

Don't believe me, play UNO out the front of a cop shop and see what happens.

 

[Neeranam]

 

 

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

Funny you mention UNO, great game. I took a pack last holiday and we had to play the game inside. Not joking, illegal. It's a card game. Even bingo is illegal.

 

I know you're starting to laugh at it all now, but it's true.

 

Don't believe me, play UNO out the front of a cop shop and see what happens.

 

 

Can I play solitaire o my computer?

[h90]

 

 

 

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

Funny you mention UNO, great game. I took a pack last holiday and we had to play the game inside. Not joking, illegal. It's a card game. Even bingo is illegal.

 

I know you're starting to laugh at it all now, but it's true.

 

Don't believe me, play UNO out the front of a cop shop and see what happens.

 

 

Can I play solitaire o my computer?

 

 

the other law about the cards from 1943 mention different materials for the cards....So computer cards should be excluded

[h90]

 

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

Well at the temple? These parties I have seen in the south weren't in the temple and lasted 7-14 days with a lot alcohol....

 

No she is no lawyer but I trust her at this. I think the hole thing is an ancient law and mostly not enforced. (The card law from 1943).

 

I just recall one story where 2-4 women were playing card in the house and a other (not invited, lol???) women called the police which came and raided the house.

I can't recall the outcome.

 

But it seems it is true that the law prohibits card playing.

[h90]

 

 

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

Funny you mention UNO, great game. I took a pack last holiday and we had to play the game inside. Not joking, illegal. It's a card game. Even bingo is illegal.

 

I know you're starting to laugh at it all now, but it's true.

 

Don't believe me, play UNO out the front of a cop shop and see what happens.

 

 

 

UNO. You CRIMINAL!!!

I'll report you as illegal UNO player to the police.

(I just imagine the police command coming, holding the gun into your face "Do you have UNO cards?"

(Does it get a bit unreal?)
 

[Neeranam]

hee hee, the Uno is about to start.  My eldest is saying 20 baht to the winner -  where on earth does she get that from? I'd better say no as I don't want us going to jail.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Neeranam

[Tywais]

 

But it seems it is true that the law prohibits card playing.

 

 

Again, that is not the case.  Link to the Playing Card Act has been posted earlier and it outlines the details of selling them which requires a license.  It prohibits playing cards for monetary gain, aka gambling, which is covered under the Gambling Act.

 

Card Games
 

It is not illegal in Thailand to play cards (or to use tarot cards) but it becomes illegal as soon as potential monetary gain or loss is involved. Many Thai gambling card games are a variation of “Snap” but poker and rummy are also well known. Police realize that these card games are seldom played just for fun and will attract their suspicions. Bridge clubs are allowed as long as they don’t offer incentives of any kind and are properly affiliated to the Contract Bridge Association of Thailand.

 

Source

[Neeranam]

Thanks Tywais

 

So playing cards is legal, as I said before.

 

Incidentally, Thailand is no 6 in poker countries out of 249 countries worldwide:-

 

 

http://www.pokertableratings.com/top-countries

[h90]

 

 

But it seems it is true that the law prohibits card playing.

 

 

Again, that is not the case.  Link to the Playing Card Act has been posted earlier and it outlines the details of selling them which requires a license.  It prohibits playing cards for monetary gain, aka gambling, which is covered under the Gambling Act.

 

Card Games
 

It is not illegal in Thailand to play cards (or to use tarot cards) but it becomes illegal as soon as potential monetary gain or loss is involved. Many Thai gambling card games are a variation of “Snap” but poker and rummy are also well known. Police realize that these card games are seldom played just for fun and will attract their suspicions. Bridge clubs are allowed as long as they don’t offer incentives of any kind and are properly affiliated to the Contract Bridge Association of Thailand.

 

Source

 

 

But we need to read BE2478, 1935.

[krisb]

hee hee, the Uno is about to start.  My eldest is saying 20 baht to the winner -  where on earth does she get that from? I'd better say no as I don't want us going to jail.

I don't like to boast, but I'm 1 of the best Uno players going round.

[Vacuum]

What about strip poker, is it legal?

[Estrada]

It is illegal that is why, like Tropico 5, everyone is playing it. If you get arrested for playing cards the polioce will put you in jail and later you will be taken to court for sentancing. However, in the best tradition of T.I.T. the police will supply you with a "Stand In" to will go to court in you place. A small incentive is paid to the police and a payment to the stand in which used to be around B3,000. You then go home. The police change the name on the arrest record which then keeps their paperwork straight.

[Estrada]

What about strip poker, is it legal?

No, but can I watch?

[novanova]

No card playing? What's this then?

 

http://www.thailandbridgeleague.com/

[Neeranam]

No card playing? What's this then?

 

http://www.thailandbridgeleague.com/

Read the thread - Playing cards is LEGAL in Thailand. Playing for money is not, although only a small fine.

Playing online is legal if the site is in another country, i.e the bet is not being made in Thailand. 

 

Again, thanks Tywais for allowing this discussion to clear up all the misconceptions of card playing in Thailand..

[action]

Wow,

I'm glad you guys posted this.  I was cleaning out my house getting ready to move and I found 6 packs of playing cards and a full set of poker chips.  I planned to sell them online just to get rid of them.  I guess I better not post and ad for them.  Hummm  what to do?  PM me if you have any ideas.

 

 

[djhotsox]

This topic is dear to my heart....i am a HUGE fan of the Thai card game Dummy/Rummy.......their version of Rummy with a couple of key cards and rules not so easy to understand unless you speak Thai!  lol

 

I too have wondered about the whole card playing thing for years until it was explained to me.

 

Playing cards is legal in Thailand, but gambling is illegal.  They associate any card playing with gambling.  It's that simple.  If they see some people playing cards they immediately will think that money is being bet and they will investigate.  Sometimes in Thailand you can be guilty before being  proven innocent so that is why you will never see anyone risk playing in public.  If you are in a bar the owner/manager/staff will likely not allow you to pull out a deck and start to play.  It is taboo.  

 

I have bought many decks from 7-11 and that is one of the rare places in Thailand that actually sells cards.   I have never seen poker chips ever sold anywhere here and I have looked.  I brought mine with me from overseas.  

 

I was told that if the police to question you about a deck of cards in your possession simply say that you were telling someone's fortune with them or doing magic tricks (best to have one you can quickly perform on them if they do tell you to prove it to them.....I've a few up my sleeve just in case!  555).

 

I recommend that if you want to play cards, simply have your fun but do it in the privacy of your own home and there will be no trouble.  

 

I can understand the association of cards and gambling and not completely against the law/rule.  Sometimes some people do need things like that in place to provide the restraint needed not to do something that may hurt themselves or their families.  Even if it may seem ridiculous to others  (I grew up as a child playing various card games with  my Grandparents) .  But there is no gambler's anonymous here and no education on any type of addiction and  likely never will be.  But I have met a Thai girl of limited financial means who lost 4M baht playing Dummy..........

 

The Thai girls....they love to gamble!

[rethaier]

there are cards sold so it can't illegal.

But most of the times I have seen money on the table = illegal

 

Your logic is bad.  I see gear for smoking Marijuana on sale too but that doesn't make them legal to use.

[Jip99]

 

 

Playing cards is illegal in Thailand except over songkran.

I dont know how 711 sell them. I know from buying packs of cards at the local shop the guy keeps them well hidden.

If you think Im wrong thats up to you.

 

Update from Mrs. h90

 

playing card is illegal unless you register it at the local police office for a reason....example party when someone died.

Under all other cases it is indeed illegal (Sonkran most probably is another party). No matter if it is for money or not.

 

Very strange. I asked her why no one change that ridiculous law. She told no one want a problem with the group of Chamlong.....

 

Is she a lawyer?

 

I've been taken to the police station before as they thought we were gambling but we convinced them that we were only playing for chips so they let us go, and told us that it's ok to play if no evidence of gambling is found. Usually if there are chips its a fine..

 

I suspect the Songkran thing is an ancient law that is not enforced now.

 

 Thai people play cards is in the temple! Really -  after a funeral and the police don't do anything.

 

Can anyone find the actual law anywhere?

 

I'm having a game of uno in a minute with my kids, is this ok?

 

 

I understand that (serious) card playing was common-place at funerals and 100 day 'celebrations'.

 

I have heard several stories of heavy police raids on such events and participants scattering to the fields.

 

I think most temples now forbid card playing.

 

[Neeranam]

Wow,

I'm glad you guys posted this.  I was cleaning out my house getting ready to move and I found 6 packs of playing cards and a full set of poker chips.  I planned to sell them online just to get rid of them.  I guess I better not post and ad for them.  Hummm  what to do?  PM me if you have any ideas.

 

 

Keep them. When I got arrested,  then let go, they gave me back  my poker chips.

 

You can buy poker chips at Central Khon Kaen on the basement  floor.