Bangkok: The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is urging the Prime Minister to provide a definitive answer regarding the status of the draft law aimed at decriminalizing snooker. They seek clarity on whether the draft is still under consideration or has been outright rejected.
According to Thai News Agency, Ratchanok Srinok has pressed Anutin to explain the contradictory messages surrounding the draft law. She highlighted that despite the Prime Minister's rejection of the bill yesterday, he claimed today that it remains under consideration. Ratchanok suggested only two scenarios: either the Prime Minister signed the document without reading it, or someone else signed it on his behalf.
Today, Mr. Nonth Paisanlimcharoenkit, MP for Nonthaburi Constituency 8, and Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, list MP of the People's Party, commented on the Prime Minister's decision to not approve the draft amendment to the Gambling Act. This amendment sought to remove snooker and billiards from the list of gambling games. Both MPs questioned the government's vision for supporting professional sports and expressed concerns about leadership confusion.
Mr. Nonth disclosed that a letter from the Prime Minister's Secretariat, dated August 8, 2026, stated that the Prime Minister instructed the draft law not be approved after reviewing opinions from relevant agencies. He expressed disappointment, seeing this as a setback to efforts aimed at legalizing snooker. He indicated that, together with athletes, the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, and fellow MPs, he had pushed for amendments to the 1935 Gambling Act, which they submitted to Parliament on April 29, 2026. He argued that the 90-year-old law is outdated, as snooker is now a professional sport with Thai athletes achieving global success. He pointed out that the law's limitations hinder youth opportunities, training, and enforcement, but the draft was deemed a financial bill requiring the Prime Minister's approval per Article 134 of the Constitution, leading to its rejection.
Mr. Nonth questioned the government's stance, asking about the obstacles preventing the development of snooker in Thailand. He called for transparency on legal issues, budget constraints, revenue concerns, or gambling worries. Emphasizing that sports should be treated as such and not as gambling, he insisted on a clear government response. He underscored that the draft law's future impacts athletes, coaches, and operators, all of whom deserve inclusion.
Ms. Rakchanok responded to the Prime Minister's media comments today, where he said, "I will review the matter. We are currently considering it. I haven't said I won't sign it. The matter hasn't reached me yet." She questioned the possibility of the Prime Minister contradicting himself between the Secretariat's official documents and his statements. She suggested two possibilities: either the Prime Minister is unaware of government operations, signing documents without reading them, or someone forged his signature or impersonated him. She called for an investigation into the operational flaws of the government.
Ms. Rakchanok expressed skepticism about someone signing on the Prime Minister's behalf, attributing the issue to his lack of procedural knowledge and legislative understanding. She speculated that he might have signed haphazardly, without reading the document. She concluded by questioning the Prime Minister's seriousness about governance, suggesting his focus might be more on personal leisure.