Cheltenham Festival

Post by **MartinHHG** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:08 am

I know this is a very long shot as I've never even heard anyone talk about Horse Racing here in HH.

Is there anywhere to watch next week's festival meeting?

I'm not a passionate follower of the sport, but the atmosphere at Cheltenham when you know every fancied horse is actually trying to win is something very special. Can also get a few punts on via the internet and my friends back in blighty.

Post by **chelsea** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 8:21 am

As gambling is illegal in Thailand I would doubt it very much. Your only chance would be a live stream on the internet from one of the sites that do live tv streaming. I use this one www.myp2p.eu to watch the football, but I do know that they have some racing channels via betfair.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:08 am

One of my main moans abou living in LOS was the complete lack of racing coverage on TV. Except for the National which always went out live on the Beeb. Its a shame too because the timing is spot on for Saturday night viewing in LOS bars.
We used to have Sweeps for the National at one time so it might be worth asking Billy Wilson about doing one for the Gold Cup, but unless people can get together and watch it its just not the same and the tickets won't sell.

Post by **jimcook** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:21 pm

Does anyone have any idea what the consequences might be for someone caught gambling on Betfair, for example, in Thailand?
TIA

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:56 am

Not sure Jim. Gambling is illegal in the sense that obviously no 'betting shop' type businesses are allowed. Gambling dens exist, usually for card games, (and often used by police) but they do have regular crackdowns on these, even when held in private houses. Fines are common and the Thai system allows for imprisonment in lieu of fines.
Officially the only legal gambling is the State lottery.
Online betting could I suppose be traced, and treated as illegal. But as a farang, using a home computer, non Thai web based company, and PayPal for example, I would doubt they would be bothered. BUT.....
There are however expats who use the 'guess the score' football site, which could be seen as gambling. Lomu might be best to advise.
I think the aim of their law is to discourage habitual gambling amongst Thais, which is a very real problem. The reality is to drive it underground and provide tea money for the MIBs.

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:09 am

The authorities try to block the online gambling sites here - at least that's what they say. I've got no idea if they do as I don't use them.
They've got a racecourse in BKK, but again I don't know if that's used. I can't imagine that gambling dosn't go on at the professional Thai boxing matches and if it does it's illegal.
This could just be an urban legend, but I was told that if the cops saw anyone playing cards they could arrest you for gambling whether there was any money involved or not. Yet packs of cards are openly for sale in most 7-11s and other shops.
Online gambling is definitely illegal but quite how they know if you're doing it if it's from your home computer I don't know.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:09 am

Thanks Lomu. I've always doubted that the average policeman would bother about a couple of farang playing cards at a bar for example, but would still be very wary about doing so, and would certainly never have money on the table. Matchstalks are sufficient, and any farang openly betting with cash is I think taking an unecessary risk, however small.
Just a thought - we know that gambling and Thais don't mix, but I wonder if the main issue with gambling is the use of the currency itself? Maybe it's seen as a disrespectful use of the Monarchs image? Any other informed opinion on this would be interesting.

BTW. True story from Pattaya several years ago. Police bust a card game at an apartment in a Condo. They'd had a tip off and, when asked how they knew exactly which apartment to target it was simple. The one with piles of flipflops outside the door!
(So I reckon we had a lucky escape at that party of Buksis!)

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:01 am

When I first come over Betfair was blocked, I had a few quid still on account and had to give brother-in-law log in info to withdraw money off onto my card. It's open now though, they could trace you're betting from here easily I would have thought, IP addresses and all that. Gambling and illegally working!?!?
Having lived in Hong Kong I think it's right it's banned here despite my missing it, in HK the construction workers (far better off than Thais) used to lose their coming weeks wages on a Monday morning ferry on way to airport Island before they'd even started the weeks work. Fights, stabbings and bottlings occured at times, all before breakfast lol.

Personally don't think Thais are responsible enough to be allowed to gamble. Having said that gambling is going on here left right and centre.

Cheltenham was quality, second only to Ascot for me.

SJ

Post by **chelsea** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:52 am

I was over in Thailand when one of the Euro Championships (2004 I think) were on and the Thai Gov had blocked all access to the overseas online betting sites.
There were coaches going every day from BKK to somewhere across the Thai Border where they have a casino, just so the Thai's could get bets on for all of the matches.
I was aware of all of the underground gambling places, but my thoughts on that are that if you were lucky enough to win money in one of them (that would be the easy bit). Getting out of the place safely with my winnings would be my utmost fear.

Post by **MartinHHG** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:29 pm

As far as I'm aware there is no law against emailing friends and asking them to place a bet for you with William Hill. Wish hadn't bothered now as first 2 have lost!!!

Champion Hurdle was a cracking race though.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:33 am

Here is a link about horse racing in Bangkok. The track highlighted is right next to Lumpini Park off of Rama IV. Betting there seems to be legal as well. Pete

http://www.bangkok.com/sport-horse-racing/index.html

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:39 am

Appears to be a track in Khon Kaen as well. Pete

http://www.khonkaen.com/english/attractions/horses.asp

Post by **jimcook** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:27 pm

Thanks for the replies.
If you do find anywhere to watch it, check out Master Minded today, 3.20. Absolute quality!

Post by **cookmanchef** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:30 am

He is certainly a beauty Jim, backed him last year when he romped in but no value today at 4/11. He could go on to become a real legend as it will take something special or an injury to stop him.