The Senate is moving forward to elevate Thailand’s cue sports by proposing a dedicated Snooker Sports Act. The plan is to adopt a model similar to the Boxing Sports Act to protect young people.
On 8 Apr 2026 GMT+7, at the Senate Sports Subcommittee meeting, Mr. Chaitat Phrosunthorn, chairman of the Senate Sports Subcommittee, chaired a session to consider policy proposals for updating laws related to billiards and snooker sports. Attending were Mr. Jamlong Anantasuk, first vice-chairman; Mr. Suwich Champanont, second vice-chairman; subcommittee members Mr. Nithat Ariwongsakul, Mr. Phisit Apiwatnapong (also spokesperson), Mr. Sombat Harisombat, and Mr. Phanop Jaikuea.
Representatives from relevant agencies were invited, including officials from the Ministry of Interior, the Sports Authority of Thailand, the president of the Billiards Sports Association of Thailand, Mr. Chusak Petchmalai-kul, director of Q House Academy, and Mr. Chaipong Krawsuramon, executive of S1 Signature Snooker Club, who provided explanations.
Mr. Phisit Apiwatnapong, subcommittee member and spokesperson, revealed that although the legislative process may take time, a clear option is to propose a dedicated Snooker Sports Act. He cited Muay Thai, which despite involving gambling-related competitions, is protected under its own Boxing Sports Act. This separation allows young people to enter the sport legally and properly from an early age.
"Waiting for a Snooker Sports Act could take up to five years, but what can be done immediately is to ask the Ministry of Interior to reconsider the image of snooker—from gambling to a recognized sport—because the world has changed, and the entire country now accepts snooker as a professional sport," Mr. Phisit said.
Furthermore, the subcommittee made a technical observation to relevant agencies that the ambiguity does not require rewriting the entire gambling law. Instead, it can be addressed by removing "Appendix B, Item 23," which is the main cause for snooker being classified as a vice. This is despite clear recognition from the association and the Sports Authority of Thailand.
On the private sector side, led by “Big S,” Mr. Chaipong Krawsuramon, executive of S1 Signature and representative of the Billiards Sports Association, welcomed the proposal. They are ready to promote a separate "academy" zone apart from general clubs to create a clean area free of smoking, alcohol, and gambling 100%. This aims to prepare students to enter training systems at schools and universities as soon as the law permits.