ENFORCEMENT OF THE GAMBLING ACT B.E. 2478: A CASE STUDY OF ILLEGAL LOTTERY TRADING.

Abstract

The objective indicate in this research article is to study the problem of law enforcement of the Gambling Act B.E. 2478, focus on the Illegal lottery dealing, causes of law enforcement problems, law Enforcement Amendment, and law enforcement definition. This is a qualitative research, the important target groups are Illegal lottery buyers, Illegal lottery sellers, village headmen, sub-district organizations and relevant government officials, based on Purposive sampling with Depth individual interviews.  Data are analyzed within content. Present all data in descriptive information. 

         The research results found: - (1) the enforcement caused the influential group problem, bribe, lawlessness.  Gambling has long been a feature of Thai society and become out of controlled. (2) Cause of the problem are: - Punishment is too light, Officials snatch interest that involve to the law enforcement, the Penalties imposed on the both side of buyer and seller are almost equal, most Illegal lottery dealers are relatives or spouse of the officials, Influencers support dealers or sellers, and buyers are not arrested. (3) To law Enforcement Amendment: - should amend the Gambling Act to increase the penalty on the dealer; the gambling organizer; those who gain involving benefit to be imprisonment from 1 year up to 5 years; and a fine from 200,000 baht up to 1,000,000 baht; also amend other related laws. (4) Act concretely, divided into 2 cases: - Article 1, Strict enforcement of laws; suppress potent influencers and dealers Article 2 Manage to hold benefits from Illegal lottery back to the State: - be capable to manage by the State/ Sub-district organizations/Authorized dealers.