mahjong online — mahjong online is at the centre of today’s discussion. The Portuguese were the first Westerners to trade with Ayutthaya in Thailand in the 16th century. Traders also arrived from India, Japan, the Arab world, England, Holland and France.
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Above : the start of foreign relations. Image courtesy Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Bangkok.
Traders also arrived from Japan, the Arab world, England, Holland as well as France and often they had their own quarters or village communities. Chinese Money cards are produced in Thailand with Thai indices. The heritage resulting from the presence of foreign cultures in Thailand still exists today.
Above : Pai Pong Jin – Two color chess cards from Thailand
Background details in otherwise religious temple mural paintings frequently include scenes from daily life.
During the nineteenth century Belgian manufacturers (e.g. Brepols , Van Genechten ) and also Camoin of Marseille produced “Chinese” cards for South-East Asian countries including Java, the Celebes, Singapore, Bangkok and possibly China as well (Eugeen van Autenboer, 1976). They also tended to register suitable trademarks for Far Eastern markets, such as tigers, elephants, Japanese spearmen, ostrich, exotic birds and so on.
Above : typical example of ‘Chinese’ cards exported to Far Eastern countries by Belgian manufacturers such as Brepols or Van Genechten.
Above : Chess players, detail from 18th century wall painting illustrating Ramakien story in the Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok.
Above : Gamblers, detail from 18th century wall painting illustrating Ramakien story in the Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok.
Above : 1900; A ‘First Class Gambling House’ in Bangkok’s Chinatown area.
Above : Talat Nang Loeng market, 1900, which was also known for its illegal gambling houses. The entrance still stands today in Bangkok’s Chinatown district.
More contemporary images depict card playing in everyday life.
The first indication that the Siamese government recognised card playing to be a form of the obsession for gambling was reported in “Gambling in Siam”, Straits Echo, 19 April 1918, Page 6 read here ►
How Siam’s “Poker Fiends” May Play Under New Laws, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 15 September 1937, Page 3 read here ►
Above: Wrapper from a brick of 8 Pai Thai playing cards
The state-controlled Thai Playing Cards Manufacturing Factory , Bangkok, was established in 1938 and today produces about 400,000 decks per month read more →
The Thai Playing Cards Act, 1943 ► Official Excise Department information page ►
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Thailand has strict anti-gambling laws and it is illegal for individuals to possess more than 120 playing cards read more ►
For another story about gambling in Thailand, click here ►
Above : Bric-a-brac shop sign in Bangkok. Perhaps ‘Jack of Diamonds’ might suggest making some cash from dealing?
Above : cigarette cards published by tobacco companies.
Above : Playing cards depicted on Thai matchboxes
Above : paintings inspired by Chinese playing cards from an exhibition in a Thai restaurant. Photographs by Adam Wintle – click to enlarge .
Above : cigarette cards have been published by foreign tobacco companies featuring Thai subjects, such as military uniforms or traditional costumes.
Above : mug produced by C.S. Thai Trading Company Limited.
As gambling is technically illegal in Thailand, playing cards are slightly taboo and parents wouldn’t want their children to be playing with cards. That said, a number of educational sets of cards can be found.
Above : cigarette cards featuring educational topics.
Above : Thailand has strict anti-gambling laws.
Above : Bangkok-themed card from Round the World card game published in 1961.
Autenboer , Dr Eugeen van: The Turnhout Playing Card Industry 1826-1976 , Aurelia Books, Brussels 1976
Christopher John Baker , Pasuk Phongpaichit : A History of Thailand , Cambridge University Press, 2005
Ministry of Finance, Department of Commerce and Statistics (name varies), Statistical Yearbook of the Kingdom of Siam (title varies), 1916+.
Thailand • Member since March 15, 1997 • Contact
Adam has been involved in developing the site as well as reviewing new decks and conducting research. He is particularly interested in innovation, Kickstarter and East Asian cards. He is a member of the IPCS, 52 Plus Joker, and webmaster of the EPCS.
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