Experts point out that over 4 million young Thais have been drawn into online gambling, a phenomenon that could develop into a health-affecting addiction.
At the 2024 Gambling Research Center conference held in Bangkok's Samyan district, Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, emphasized that the increasing popularity of online gambling platforms, often promoted by internet celebrities, has led to millions of young people participating.
He warned that continuous gambling can lead to a loss of self-control, making it difficult to stop even after experiencing losses or wanting to quit, which is a dangerous sign.
Since 2010, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation has been committed to reducing gambling-related issues by raising public awareness, fostering youth resilience, and advocating for policies.
Nualnoi Trirat, director of the Gambling Research Center, presented the findings of a 2023 survey by the Center for Social and Business Development.
The survey shows that 99.3% of Thais know a gambler, and 21% of children and 26% of teenagers feel tempted to gamble due to social influences.
She noted that about 6 million gamblers could become long-term problem gamblers, but Thailand lacks sufficient mental health services to support them. More than half of Thais oppose the legalization of gambling activities, fearing it would exacerbate gambling addiction issues.
