More than four million young people in Thailand have been drawn into online gambling, a growing concern that experts warn could lead to addiction, with serious effects on both mental and physical health.
This alarming trend was highlighted by Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, director of the ThaiHealth Promotion Foundation, during the recent annual conference of the Centre for Gambling Studies (CGS) in Samyan, Bangkok. Pongthep noted the rise of online gambling platforms, many of which are promoted by influencers. These platforms have captured the attention of over four million young Thais, leading them into the high-risk world of online gambling.
“Continuous gambling leads to a loss of self-control. Even after experiencing losses or wanting to quit, individuals find it difficult to stop, which is a dangerous sign,” Pongthep explained. He emphasized the risks associated with gambling habits, particularly the potential for addiction, describing gambling addiction as a psychiatric disorder similar to substance addiction. This can have a significant impact on families, communities, and society at large.
“Gambling addiction can affect not only the individual but also 10 to 17 people close to them,” he said.
Since 2010, ThaiHealth has been actively addressing gambling-related issues, launching awareness campaigns, fostering youth resilience, and advocating for policies to regulate and reduce gambling problems, Pongthep added.
In a related presentation, Nualnoi Trirat, director of CGS, shared the findings of a 2023 survey conducted by the Research Centre for Social and Business Development. The survey, which involved 7,131 respondents aged 15 and older from 24 provinces between mid-November and December, revealed that a staggering 99.3% of Thais know someone who gambles.
The survey also found that 21% of children and 26% of teenagers felt tempted to gamble due to social influences. Alarmingly, more than one million youths aged 15 to 18 engaged in gambling last year, an increase of 231,000 compared to 2021.
Among those aged 19 to 25, 3.92 million participated in gambling activities, while senior citizens over 60 accounted for 4.47 million gamblers, reflecting a rise of more than 400,000 gamblers compared to the previous year.
The survey also revealed that approximately 7.45 million gamblers reported experiencing financial instability, mental health issues, and interpersonal conflicts as a result of their gambling behaviors, according to the Bangkok Post.
