PM discourages gambling among Thais



BANGKOK, 20 June 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister says people should enjoy sports for many reasons, but gambling is not one of them.

In regard to Euro 2016 which is currently taking place in France, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said people should enjoy soccer and other sports for health, entertainment, and education while asking everyone to refrain from gambling activities which are in fact illegal in Thailand.

He said a large number of people have fallen victim to gambling because of the excitement and potential rewards. It is a temptation that affects people’s judgment and can have disastrous consequences. In some cases, gambling has resulted in suicide.

The Prime Minister then instructed responsible parties as well as educational institutes to enforce strict laws against gamblers, and bookkeepers running gambling operations. He also asked parents to take good care of their children and keep a close eye on them, adding that parents could be charged with negligence should their children become involved in gambling.

-- NNT 2016-06-20

Blowing in the wind...

Like anybody is going to heed this advice, as Thais and gambling goes hand in hand, I'm yet to meet

a single Thai person who didn't dabble in the occasional flutter on the lotteries both legal and illegal,

but as a PM, he has to say those things as part of his job description I guess...........

Don't do it, yes that'll work like so many other things people are told not to do.

Strict action against gamblers and bookkeepers ok but will that include the BIB, military etc organised and run operations ?

I suppose the BIB can take against against the military and vice versa which should be fun with tit for tat raids leaving officialdom to decide which side to back.

Edited June 19, 201610 yr by NongKhaiKid

King Canute springs to mind reading about Prayut saying do not gamble.

How many people see a do not touch sign on wet paint but touch it anyway.

Hells teeth even my prim and proper wife gets excited on lottery day, waiting for the local underground lottery lady to appear.

Still don't why the lottery is legal going by his statements over the last couple of weeks.

The share market is gamble and has had its fair share of suicides..

Even a coup is gamble with the outcome affecting not one life but millions.

So how do you define gambling?

Don't do it, yes that'll work like so many other things people are told not to do.

Strict action against gamblers and bookkeepers ok but will that include the BIB, military etc organised and run operations ?

I suppose the BIB can take against against the military and vice versa which should be fun with tit for tat raids leaving officialdom to decide which side to back.

LOL yea.... reminds me of the old/tired saying "Just Say NO."

I believe many Thais gamble b/c they feel there are few other viable options available to insure some form of "nest egg."

What has Thailand's numerous governments offered as a way out of poverty/ignorance?

If you Tell immature, disrespectful children not to do something its a sure bet that they will do it anyway

“…He said a large number of people have fallen victim to gambling because of the excitement and potential rewards…”

He never ceases to amaze. Consider the gamble he and his junta-cronies made when they usurped power from the previous government.

One can imagine the (appropriate) response from Thai's.

I bet that will go over like a lead ballon, oop's I said bet. 555

Write a song about it, maybe someone will listen.

Huge sums of money and won are lost by Thai's on the golf course.

And that includes Bridge.... but not lottery of course

What's the line-over/under of the charter referendum?

Odds on a cabinet re-shuffle?

Over/under on deceased policeman being promoted?

Gambling = a tax on stupidity.

Father has spoken, you will do as told, and you will like it!

When your placed against a Nation for ruling by gun

This is a big gamble

Somebody should remind the boss that life is a lottery.

Don't do it, yes that'll work like so many other things people are told not to do.

Strict action against gamblers and bookkeepers ok but will that include the BIB, military etc organised and run operations ?

I suppose the BIB can take against against the military and vice versa which should be fun with tit for tat raids leaving officialdom to decide which side to back.

LOL yea.... reminds me of the old/tired saying "Just Say NO."

I believe many Thais gamble b/c they feel there are few other viable options available to insure some form of "nest egg."

What has Thailand's numerous governments offered as a way out of poverty/ignorance?

Actually, I thought the "just say no" campaign was really effective, might be wrong but it certainly got a shed load of attention.

I don't think peoples motives for gambling are anything as noble as creating a nest egg for their retirement or a rainy day but, I do agree with you in that there is little route to working your way out of poverty here. The Government could do more but it is not wealthy enough to create any kind of welfare state.

It will be the future generations that will benefit as Thailand get wealthier, but only if the corruption epidemic is squashed.

Lottery?

I never seen as many people rush to buy tickets, with the only money they have left in their pockets.

Of course, half that money already went to the monks and fortune tellers, for that winning number.

One of his first official actions in office was to make gambling more affordable.

He could start with the hi-sos who gamble in the illicit casinos.

He could start with the hi-sos who gamble in the illicit casinos.

And gambling on the stock exchange.

"discourages gambling among Thais"

This means foreigners can !!