Poker fans in Thailand have reason to celebrate. The World Poker Tour has officially announced that WPT Prime Thailand is happening in 2025 — and it’s headed to Bangkok. For the first time ever, Thailand will play host to a full-scale WPT event, and it’s shaping up to be a game changer for both poker and tourism in the region.
The news came out of an official meeting on April 10, where WPT Vice President Keta Ozolina met with key Thai officials including Tourism and Sports Minister Mr. Sorawong Thienthong and TCEB President Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya. Both parties see this as more than just a tournament — it’s a long-term partnership with real economic upside.
Keta Ozolina pointed out that Texas Hold’em is globally recognized as a leading mind sport, and its ability to drive tourism and jobs is already well documented in other markets. With Thailand’s strong hospitality, growing poker scene, and prime location in Southeast Asia, she said, Bangkok is the ideal next step for WPT.
And it doesn’t stop at just one event.
WPT plans to roll out seasonal tournaments in Thailand, eventually reaching up to four per year. The idea is to make the country a regular stop on the international poker calendar, helping boost tourism while nurturing local poker talent at the same time.
Thailand is already home to top-level players. One standout is Punnat Punsri, who took down the APT Main Event in Taipei in 2023 and just pocketed $2.6 million in a $125,000 buy-in event at Triton Jeju last month. With that kind of momentum, it’s no surprise the country is becoming a rising hub for poker in Asia.
The Thai government is also playing an active role. Officials have confirmed that Texas Hold’em qualifies as a sports activity under Thai law. They’ve already set up a dedicated task force to support the event and its logistics, which adds an extra layer of confidence for all involved.
Exact dates for WPT Prime Thailand haven’t been released yet, but the announcement alone has already made waves across the poker world. After years of building regional interest through the Asian Poker Tour and other events, Thailand is finally stepping into the spotlight with a global poker brand.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on updates — and like many of you, we’re counting down the days. This is going to be huge.
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