Thailand Poker Association (TPA) is taking the industry forward by organizing a historic event — the TPA International Inaugural Summit and WPF Asian Nations Cup Regional Launch. Held on the 25th floor, the event announced the strategic direction for poker in Thailand, aligned with international standards, while creating a new understanding of the sport within society.
The event was attended by Mr. Shin Kampornasen, President of the Thailand Poker Association, Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Director of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), representatives from the World Poker Federation (WPF), the Asian Poker Association, diplomats from 10 Asian countries, and numerous athletes. The event aimed to send a clear signal that poker is ready to be promoted as an accepted, safe, and internationally standardized sport.
During the discussion, Mr. Shin also revealed that today marks an important and historic day for Thailand’s poker industry. Industry professionals and representatives from various international associations gathered to support and promote the sport, with the goal of establishing poker as a mind sport.
When the Thailand Poker Association was established, it had a clear vision: to elevate poker to international standards, help Thai athletes compete for medals on the world stage, and create a proper understanding of the sport within Thai society.
To achieve this vision, the association has established three key missions:
1. Ensure that the official rules and regulations of the International Poker Association (IPA) are adopted as the primary standards for judging and managing competitions.
2. Serve as Thailand’s sole official representative organization under the World Poker Federation (WPF), with the authority and responsibility to select and send Thai athletes to international championships, including the Asian Nations Cup in October 2026 and future World Championships.
3. Ensure a transparent and fair selection process. WPF will work with regional partners in Thailand, such as the Phuket Poker Sports Association, to establish a merit-based selection system for Thailand’s national team. The system will focus on skill development and strategy rather than any betting-based system, creating a safe sporting ecosystem and giving all Thai athletes a genuine opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee of the Sports Authority of Thailand stated that holding discussions with government authorities to explore ways to develop poker as a game rather than gambling is a positive sign for Thailand. Thailand has gained significant benefits from the experience of the 10 countries that will participate in future national team championships. He confirmed that Thailand currently recognizes poker as a sport, but under very strict standards and conditions that organizers must follow.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Governor emphasized that today’s event was not a competition or gambling activity of any kind, but rather an academic discussion aimed at developing the format of sporting competitions in the best possible way.
Although the BMA has not yet formally become part of the Thailand Poker Association, the BMA remains open and willing to cooperate with any card-sport association that has a clear direction, with the aim of supporting and developing the sport so that it can grow in a proper and transparent manner.
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