In a country heavily influenced by Buddhists practices, the Thai people are taught at a young age to stay away from gambling, one of the supposed sins of life. Because of this, Thailand is a country where gambling is illegal. However, many have resorted to gambling in the hopes of making a quick buck to survive in a society constantly evolving in the face of globalization.
While there are many forms of illegal gaming in Thailand, one that is gaining momentum not just with the Thais, but also with foreigners, is online poker. Particularly gaining ground in the cities, online poker is so popular because it is easily accessible with the improvement of internet facilities and because it is safe from the prying eyes of enforcement. One can do it in the safety of their own homes or in one of the many private beaches in Thailand at the click of a button.
Foreigners especially, have taken this form of gaming like fish into water. Many of them are travelers or backpackers looking to make some quick money to spend. And spend they do. Thailand, with its relatively cheap nightlife and low cost of living, makes it an ideal place to make a living through online poker. A small profit in the region of approximately $2000 a month would allow you to live very comfortably in Thailand, so much so that these tourists actually give up their jobs and life in Western countries so that they can live in Thailand and earning their living through online poker.
Of course, to be realistic, one has to be wary of all the dangers making a living through an illegal activity. The trick is to stay low-key and not brag about how you made such money. If you are a foreigner, the less attention you bring to yourself the better. Unless you want to be slapped with deportation!
