Nont Paisanlimjaroenkij pointed out that classifying snooker as gambling under the law does not align with social realities. He cited Thailand’s world-class athletes such as F1, Mink Saraburi, and Tong Sitchoi, emphasizing that snooker is clearly a professional sport requiring advanced skills in planning and calculation—not luck or chance.
On 23 March 2026, Mr. Nont Paisanlimjaroenkij, MP for Nonthaburi District 8 from the Prachachon Party, posted on Facebook that although Thailand has world snooker champions, the sport is still classified as gambling. He said it is time to reconsider the legal status of this sport under Thai law. He recalled that two years ago, on 15 February 2024, while serving as a member of parliament for the Move Forward Party, he raised the issue of snooker in parliament and formally asked the Minister of Interior to review the sport’s legal status.
The response he received was consistent with current legal texts: snooker remains classified as "gambling" under the Gambling Act of 1935, overseen by the Ministry of Interior. Changing this status would require legislative amendments at the act level. While this answer is legally correct, from a public policy perspective it reveals a major problem—that our laws are not in line with current social realities.
Thailand has recently produced snooker athletes who have succeeded internationally, including F1 Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, who won world ranking events; Mink Saraburi (Natcharat Wongharuthai), a former world champion and top-ranked female player; and pioneering player Tong Sitchoi, who has inspired the entire nation.
These facts clearly demonstrate that snooker is a professional sport requiring advanced skills, not an activity based on luck or gambling. Snooker demands concentration, strategic planning, calculation, and precision. Athletes undergo long-term training to reach the professional level. Classifying such a sport alongside gambling is inconsistent with the nature of the activity and outdated in today’s global context.
The impact of this law goes beyond image to significant structural consequences. First, labeling snooker as gambling restricts youth access, hindering continuous athlete development and preventing the establishment of a comprehensive support system.
Second, when the law does not reflect practical realities, it creates "gray areas" where operators must run their businesses amid legal uncertainties. In some cases, this leads to unnecessary costs and unofficial payments. Funds that should support sport development, facilities, and athletes instead flow into untraceable channels, undermining the sport’s potential and exposing structural enforcement problems.
Furthermore, although the Ministry of Tourism and Sports plays a role in promoting sports and has made efforts such as certifying training centers, it cannot truly resolve these issues because the root problem lies in laws under the Ministry of Interior’s responsibility. As a representative, I believe it is time for the government to seriously begin amending the Gambling Act sections related to snooker to ensure proper regulation that reflects reality and supports long-term sport development.
This legal reform is not intended to create new problems but to address existing limitations and enhance the capabilities of Thai athletes on the world stage. On the day Thai athletes can win world championships, Thai law should be up to date. "Snooker" should be recognized as a sport "not as gambling."