From Phuket Gazette -
Card games and playing cards
A few days ago, I and some friends, who were visiting from abroad, decided to play cards while relaxing near the beach in Patong.
After buying some cards – which were bonded and taxed – from 7-Eleven, we played for an hour or so before some police officers interrupted us and told us: “No. Cannot,” and stood over us menacingly until we put the cards away.
We were not gambling as we know that is illegal here. But if just playing cards is illegal, why are playing cards sold here? If playing cards is in itself illegal, visitors should be warned of this before they arrive here.
Thursday, June 9, 2005 Geoff, Patong.
Police Reply .............
“Gambling is illegal in Thailand but people can still play cards in public areas, so long as they are not playing for money or property. In fact, people often play cards at the airport while waiting for a flight.
People may play cards for forfeits, such as taking off their clothes or drinking or whatever, that is not a problem, but it is if there is money or property involved.
Of course, even if we cannot see money changing hands during a game, we cannot be sure that the players aren’t playing for money or something similar – such as meals or goods, for example.
If a police officer cannot be sure that people are not playing for money or similar, he must stop them playing. If we don’t do this, we could end up with locals and tourists gambling all over the place.
The reason why playing cards are sold so widely here is because there are still many people who use them for telling fortunes; they don’t buy them for gambling. ”
Thursday, June 9, 2005 Pol Col Teeraphol Thipjaroen, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station,
http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesa...ils.asp?id=824
Gambling No ---- Alcoholism & strip poker ...Go Ahead !!