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

ThailandBangkokPokerVisa IssuesGambling LawsCasinosExpat LifeIllegal Activities
May 17, 2024
9 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.
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go boarder cambodia
9 months ago
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Marcus ************
Gambling is illegal. But lottery tickets are all the craze šŸ˜‚šŸ¤£
9 months ago
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Jack *************
Tell me you are a losing/gambling poker player without telling me you are a losing player šŸ¤£ no winning/professional player would ever waste their time with free poker šŸ¤£
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ************
 damn how stupid are you? Drank?
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Christopher *************
Go home if you want to do that , Thailand doesn't need you
9 months ago
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Cody *********
People in Bangkok donā€™t commit crimes.
9 months ago
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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 dominoesā€¦.Fact
9 months ago
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Imona ******
@Gary ****
 stupidest dumbest 'law' ever made on earth
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Imona *****
 sir
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Imona *****
 I stand corrected
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ****
 why have you called me fool?
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Michael *******
 because every single person whoā€™s been or lived in Thailand knows you live by their rules and standards or it will cost you
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ****
 it's not true at all
9 months ago
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Gary *****
Simple
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ****
 if you're not foolish you no need to be muppet
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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Gary *****
@Imona *****
 itā€™s there rules every country has stupid rules
9 months ago
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Imona ******
@Gary ****
 their*
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ******
 nl100 is too big stakes, have smaller?
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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Carlos *********
There's an app for that.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carlos ********
 what app
9 months ago
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Carlos *********
@Michael *******
 online poker
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carlos ********
 what app exactly
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Aaron ******
 Exactly
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Aaron ******
 need visa
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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Chris *******
I think just playing that here is illegal

I would check with authorities
9 months ago
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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. šŸ˜…šŸ˜…šŸ˜…
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luigi **********
 really?
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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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 difficultiesšŸ™
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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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 enforcedā€¦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
9 months ago
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Kool *******
@Gabriel *******
 don't forget to mention it was raided, and shut down that same year...lolol.
9 months ago
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Gabriel ********
@Kool ******
 close here, open thereā€¦.if the right guy owns it gambling is legal
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Janet *********
 funerals?
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Janet **********
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Steven *******
Itā€™s illegal to possess more than 2 decks of playing cards regardless of what you intend to do with them.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ******
 even if this is minions card decks
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Imona ******
@Av *********
 you're
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Av *********
 show me how it looks like
9 months ago
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Michael ********
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Jack *************
I play professionally and know what you are saying by saying itā€™s not gambling HOWEVER for the vast majority of players it is. Over 90% of all poker players are losing players. Also itā€™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.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Jack ************
 100%
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Ken ************
 Definitely 100%
9 months ago
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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"
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken ************
 haha šŸ˜ impossible, even in Thailand can't be that insane foolish rules
9 months ago
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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"
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 what if smn selling cards? And cards for kids are prohibited either? What a stupid rule.
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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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.

*************************************************************
%20Playing%20Cards%20Act%20is,sunset%20to%20conduct%20a%20search.
9 months ago
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Ken *************
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Ken *************
@Phil *****
 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.
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@Erik ******
 and that is Fact 100%
9 months ago
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Gary *****
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Jamie *********
Go loas thereā€™s a casino on the border
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jamie ********
 too far and visa needed, not worth
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
@Kool ******
 have you read the warning on it. Very funny
9 months ago
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John ***********
@Kool ******
 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.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@John **********
 fact
9 months ago
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Gary *****
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 what stamp? Show me
9 months ago
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Kool *******
@Michael *******
*************************************************
9 months ago
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Gabriel ********
@Michael *******
 heā€™s 100% correct
9 months ago
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Gabriel ********
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Markus **********
@Kool ******
 10 years here. Didn't know that. Very interesting
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jorge ***
 don't believe šŸ˜ show me proof
9 months ago
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Steve *****
@Michael *******
 ask the tourist police
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Michael *******
 someone already linked you an article
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
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Derek *********
ā€™theyā€™ do not like cards in Thailand
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
@Derek ********
 precisely
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
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Derek *********
@Jorge ***
 go to Vientiane 60 k out of town a casino
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Derek ********
 too far
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
@Derek ********
 yes, but the op cited BKK.
9 months ago
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Jorge ****
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CjandBrigitte **********
Gambling is illegal in Thailand, only card game you'll find is bridge.
9 months ago
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Maurice **********
Go to Ihanoukville. 72deuce poker
9 months ago
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Maurice **********
@CjandBrigitte *********
 not long anymore.
9 months ago
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Gary *****
@CjandBrigitte *********
 itā€™s illegal to just play in Thailand you will definitely be arrested ā€¦.even more so if you are a foreigner/ Alien
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
@Gary ****
 exactly!
9 months ago
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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 itā€™s illegal

Sos riding a bike without a helmet

No one cares
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
@Damien *******
 Are you referring to the local Thai people or Farang? Different rules exist.
9 months ago
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Damien ********
@CjandBrigitte *********
 Iā€™ve gambled with Thais and farang .

Itā€™s illegal like not wearing a helmet

Many Thais and farang donā€™t care

But itā€™s EVERYWHERE in Thailand and always will be

Break the rules

Mai pen rai
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@CjandBrigitte *********
 if I have kids and wife I'm still guest? šŸ˜œšŸ˜œ
9 months ago
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Jason *******
@CjandBrigitte *********
 what are you talking about ???
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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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.
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
@Jeff ******
 As you said, Thai people. Different rules apply here as you well know.
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
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Chris ******
@CjandBrigitte *********
 as is Prostitution ,so cant be that difficult .
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
@Chris *****
 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.
9 months ago
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CjandBrigitte **********
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@CjandBrigitte *********
 who talking about gambling?
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Michael *******
 except Bridge all card games are viewed as gambling. Even Bridge people have been arrested and fined previously
9 months ago
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Damien ********
@Phil *****
 bullshit ! U made that up

Thousands of Thais gamble everyday

Cards , rooster fights etc

No problem
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Paul *******
@Phil *****
 What about the UNO card game?
9 months ago
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Sue **********
@Paul ******
 the same, just donā€˜t play in public, then its ok.
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Paul ******
 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
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 dart? šŸŽÆ
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Michael *******
 yes
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 where is gambling in dart?
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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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
9 months ago
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Chris ******
@Phil *****
 and we are still referred too as aliens in the Kingdom šŸ™
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 haha GAMBLING!! šŸ¤£šŸ¤£ And violence!!
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 no, poker isn't gambling and you can play for fun.
9 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
@Michael *******
Have your lawyer tell that to the judge when you're in court for breaking the law
9 months ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeffrey *********
 what?
9 months ago
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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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9 months ago
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Phil ******
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