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Published on August 6, 2007

The National Health Foundation's Dr Prakit Vathisathokit will today ask Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham to introduce legislation to control gambling and also establish a gambling-control commission.

Having a law and commission to control gambling are common in many countries and have existed for a long time, he said.

Speaking at a public forum on "Youth and Gambling in Thai Society", organised yesterday by the foundation, he said present efforts to prevent youth from gambling have failed as their environment encourages it. He called for a law to regulate public activities and publications that might encourage gambling.

Youth Observation and Protection Department deputy director Thawatchai Thaikieo said online gaming was the first step for youth gamblers. Many games allow players to swap accumulated scores for cash or other rewards.