Bangkok: "Krawee" revealed that if the people could be helped as quickly as the Interior Ministry's order was revoked, it would be good. Krawee Prisananantakul, MP for Ang Thong from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chairman of the Committee on Administration, raised concerns about last week's poker tournament and questioned the rapid approval process. He pointed out that the top prize in the competition was 37 million baht and remarked on the swiftness of revoking the Interior Ministry's order.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Krawee addressed the recent poker tournament, questioning the legality of holding such events in Thailand. The Committee on Administration summoned relevant agencies, including the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Tourism and Sports, to discuss the matter. The tournament, named "WPT Thailand Exhibition," had sparked inquiries about its legality.
The organizers requested permission for the tournament on July 29, 2015, and by July 30, 2015, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Phumtham Wechayachai, had signed off on revoking Ministry of Interior Order No. 490 of 1958, allowing the event to proceed on July 31, 2015. The speed of this decision raised questions among the committee members.
The event, initially scheduled for July 30, was postponed due to the pending approval, eventually taking place on July 31, 2025. The confidence of the organizers in obtaining timely permission was noted, as they successfully held the competition with approval secured.
Mr. Krawee suggested that assistance for citizens in border areas should be as swift as the lifting of gambling bans, highlighting potential benefits for the population. The committee also noted that the competition, broadcast live on YouTube, resembled gambling, with contestants receiving significant prize money. Despite the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) claiming it was merely a sports competition, concerns persisted about its gambling nature.
Mr. Krawee questioned the Ministry of Interior's stance on whether the competition constitutes gambling and the future implications of repealing the 1958 order. This decision allows competitions or gambling to request permission from district chiefs, indicating a potential shift towards promoting gambling nationwide. The Minister of Interior will need to address these questions to ensure transparency and clarity on the matter.