ThaiHealth Launches Youth Forum to Counter Online Gambling Risks
ThaiHealth has launched a public forum to educate youth about the risks of online gambling, partnering with academic and civil society groups. Officials warn that easy‑money offers on social media are luring young people into gambling, with the number of online gamblers in Thailand jumping from 0.82 million in 2019 to 6.37 million in 2025. The initiative aims to build young people’s media literacy and refusal skills so they can move from being ‘naïve chicks’ to informed, resilient individuals.
ThaiHealth official Vichetset Pichairat, a fund committee member, warned that youth face risks from both voluntary play and unseen pressure through social media, advertisements, live streams, and content that portrays gambling as fun or as an easy way to earn money, especially messages promising “easy job, good income” such as sharing links. He said ThaiHealth will continue building immunity against gambling by supporting education, research, and academic work to turn knowledge into policies, measures, and control mechanisms that reduce gambling’s harm, while also raising public awareness and expanding financial‑literacy networks for youth and the elderly.
Associate Professor Dr. Nuannoi Trirat, director of the Centre for Gambling Studies, cited a 2025 survey showing the number of online gamblers in Thailand rose from 0.82 million in 2019 to 6.37 million, with turnover jumping from 20.152 billion baht to 305.326 billion baht. Common recruitment channels include friends sharing links and ads on Facebook and TikTok, especially online slots that resemble regular games, are colorful and easy to play, which can lead players to overlook financial risks, debt, and loss of control.
The forum aims to give young people a safe space to participate fully—by asking questions, sharing opinions, and proposing solutions—while developing media‑literacy and refusal skills. The hope is that youth will move from being “naïve chicks” who may become victims to “wise roosters” who can think critically, stay mindful, and pass on understanding to peers, family, and the wider community. ThaiHealth plans to expand similar activities to universities and communities across the country to broaden reach and strengthen protection for young people.
