Pm Acts To Stem Exodus Of New Year Gamblers

[george]

FOREIGN CASINOS: PM acts to stem exodus of New Year gamblers

Cameras to be installed at border crossings; winners' cash may be seized

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday ordered that video cameras be installed at border crossings with neighbouring countries in an effort to stem the exodus of gamblers during the New Year holiday period.

"Beware! You may lose your money out there, and even if you win and bring back a lot of money, your cash could be seized. The videos will record your movements," Thaksin said.

In regard to cash seizures, the premier was apparently referring to regulations governing how much can be taken out of the country and how much can be brought in.

The PM also sent a stern warning to immigration officials who allow gamblers to cross the border freely without verifying travel documents. "We will send out undercover officers," he said.

Thaksin was responding to comments that Thais would flock to neighbouring countries in the New Year holidays to gamble at foreign casinos.

The government is considering opening a legal casino/entertainment complex. The PM said a committee was working on the plan and would consult the public before implementation.

"But it's not that we are going to issue casino-operating licences. What we are planning is to have a large entertainment complex in which a casino is available. This complex will also have music space as well as a department store," he said.

At Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Sa Kaew province, three surveillance cameras have been installed to monitor the crossing, the deputy commander of the checkpoint, Police Lt-General Surin Plairahan, said yesterday.

Niranuj Sawatkamthon, manager of the Holiday Palace casino in Poi Pet, said yesterday that the stricter screening procedure at the checkpoint had delayed travellers and prompted complaints from many foreign tourists.

--The Nation 2003-12-23

[DaveYo]

Well, I will be the first to comment on this one. Number 1, I think the PM is going a bit too far. What for, is he afraid of losing customers and money in Thailand and thinking that the money should be spent in Thailand?????

Furthermore if these gamblers get real smart, they can easily circumvent the PM's directive. If they win money, they can do the wire transfer into Thailand, then go to the border, and cross with empty pockets, return home and pick up their winnings!!!!!!!! Confiscate what when the pockets are empty???? Oh video shows the person winning 50K baht, or a 100K baht and they ask where is it??? One can say they got robbed and lost it. Or they can say they forwarded it out to their families and friends etc, whatever. As long as the authorities don't know the bank account number, or wire transfer number etc., nothing they can do except pass them inside.

It is insane to try to control people by restricting them of any money that they win or earn or spend. This borders to dictatorship.

There was a thread or some report of the immense power that the PM has in Thailand and almost virtually nothing can stop him except their highness the King and Queen of Thailand.

Oh and I wish their Highnesses a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.

Daveyoti

+

Daveyoti

[DaveYo]

I also forgot to say this. Cambodia should get smart. Move those Casinos inside another 3 or 4 kilometers deeper into their territory, and Thailand cannot do a single thing such as install cameras to see what goes on inside.

Best Thailand can do is put the camera at the border. Any further inside Cambodia, violates jurisdictional territory.

Daveyoti

[udonthani]

Nothing can prevent the Thais from gambling, what about the illegal 2 and 3 digit LOTTERY?

One very prosperous way to control gambling is to allow casinos managed by governmant driven after same rules as in europe, e.g. a valid passport or drivers license as entry, full control with all gamblers inside etc.

Mogens

UdonThani

[Sandstone Art]

It seems that the PM is imposing lots of rules and laws for Thailand. But then again, he is smart that it does not 'hinder' him!

The word and experience of 'sanok' will soon be gone !

[Butterfly]

I am convinced that Toxin wants to turn Thailand into a "westernized" country with modern "western rules" which at the end will turn Thailand into another boring "western-like" country.

At least he is putting more silly rules on the Thais than on the farangs. At least the voters got what they paid for

The Thais deserve it !!! They should have been less greedy and not sell their vote to the highest bidder

[PvtDick]

I am convinced that Toxin wants to turn Thailand into a "westernized" country with modern "western rules" which at the end will turn Thailand into another boring "western-like" country.

At least he is putting more silly rules on the Thais than on the farangs. At least the voters got what they paid for

The Thais deserve it !!! They should have been less greedy and not sell their vote to the highest bidder

As if the alternatives -- the Banharns and Chavalits of the world -- would have been better for Thailand?

I find it really ironic that most farangs grieve for the "good old days" of the true bandits and dictators who have ruled Thailand since the end of the absolute monarchy. Don't they care about anything more than whether girls can dance naked or how late they can stay up partying?

[Martin]

Taking the winnings of the winners is one thing. But if Thaksin could take the losings of the losers, he'd have enough cash to wipe out VAT for the rest of us!!

[Butterfly]

I find it really ironic that most farangs grieve for the "good old days" of the true bandits and dictators who have ruled Thailand since the end of the absolute monarchy. Don't they care about anything more than whether girls can dance naked or how late they can stay up partying?

Is that a question ? if it is then the answer is YES

[seethreepio]

Have any of you guys ever TRIED to send large amounts of money in or out of Thailand? It's a bigger gamble than the casino as to whether or not you'll ever be able to collect it.

I also would like to ask the farang in these forums if all they care about is prostitution and having a good time? Didn't you ever grow up? Don't you CARE about Thai women at all?

[abdulrahman]

seethreepio,the Farangs in this Forum aren't missionaries.

Taking the sanook away don't help Thailand(nor the Thai girls)!

[PvtDick]

seethreepio,the Farangs in this Forum aren't missionaries.

Taking the sanook away don't help Thailand(nor the Thai girls)!

There were a lot of people who would disagree with you: like, about 65 million Thais, for example, who are tired of their country being one big anarchistic, lawless, brothel / casino / drug den. And who will probably overwhelmingly reelect Taksin when the time comes.

[parryhandy]

In regard to cash seizures, the premier was apparently referring to regulations governing how much can be taken out of the country and how much can be brought in.

what are the exact regulations ? anybody know where i can find them?

[tuky]

Have any of you guys ever TRIED to send large amounts of money in or out of Thailand? It's a bigger gamble than the casino as to whether or not you'll ever be able to collect it.

Seethreepio, do you know something I don't?

Not sure what you consider a large amount but I send my pay in to Thailand every month and haven't had a problem, is this just dumb luck?

[abdulrahman]

Pvt,about Toxin been reelected,probably,but with the drug problem already resolved,the betting prohibited,the sex dens restricted,HIS laws spreading,the 65 millions Thais,and a few thousands Farangs will have a nice time,indeed!

[george]

Update:

Border checkpoints open over holiday

BANGKOK: The Interior Ministry yesterday denied reports that border checkpoints would be closed during the New Year holiday to prevent Thais from visiting casinos in neighbouring countries.

Border checkpoints would stay open as usual, said Interior Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha. However, they would not be open around the clock during the New Year season as in previous years.

During long holidays, many Thais including state officials cross the border to visit casinos in neighbouring countries.

Mr Wan Nor asked state officials to act as role models and refrain from gambling.

They should spend the New Year holiday with their families or visit temples to make merit, he said.

Gambling was in breach of the civil service's discipline and ethics. However, the ministry had no authority to take action against Thais who gambled outside the country, Mr Wan Nor said.

--The Post

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Mr Wan Nor asked state officials to act as role models and refrain from gambling.

They should spend the New Year holiday with their families or visit temples to make merit, he said.

And the good Minister is a Muslim too.

[the gentleman]

Post deleted. Pls see our ToS.

Edited December 27, 2003 by george

[george]

A couple of inappropriate and off-topic post deleted.

/Admin

[DaveYo]

I don't know if they are expecting angels soon???????? If so, I can understand the reason why that the PM wants to straighten out the sins being committed by his followers.

Maybe he has plans to do a sneek across the border to get those taco's so he not want any of his followers to do this and gossip.

Daveyoti

[Dove]

I heard rumours that there are plans for casinos in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. So the excuse to block the exodus is to build up the thirst and craving of the gamblers so that some very clever people who have the power acan make the money for themselves.

Wonder if they will built a closed up drinking commune so that it will be safe for the public

[george]

Update:

Bureaucrat could lose their jobs over casino

Thaksin says officials who visit cross-border casinos could lose their jobs and pensions

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday threatened to fire any government official who crosses the border to gamble at casinos in Cambodia.

Thaksin said officials who pass the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint to visit one of the many casinos in Poi Pet would be dismissed from govern-ment service, possibly without severance pay, and might even be denied their pension.

Police have set up closed-circuit television cameras at border checkpoints to monitor people leaving and returning from Cambodia. Most of the people who cross the border at Aranyaprathet are assumed to be going to casinos in Poi Pet because there are no tourist attractions there.

The government cannot prevent people from crossing the border except to check whether they are taking out more cash than the law allows.

But Thaksin said that in the case of government officials, they can be punished.

The prime minister said he would also order the transfer of the deputy commander of Aranyaprathet district police station for failing to check on Thais taking out cash to gamble, adding that the law did not allow the government to stop tourists from crossing the border to gamble.

Pol Lt General Wongkot Maneerin, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, said police would step up checks of Thais crossing the border during the New Year holidays to discourage them from gambling. He said the checks would be concentrated at 11 border checkpoints opposite areas where known gambling dens are located.

"Tourists can leave the country to visit Cambodia as usual but those suspected of going there to gamble will be checked thoroughly," Wongkot said.

Apart from Poi Pet, there are also casinos on Koh Son island in Burma, opposite Ranong province.

Deputy commander of Ranong Immigration Police Lt General Chawalit Bussayarat, agreed that the police could not stop Thai nationals from visiting the island.

However, he said, officers would quiz Thais on leaving the country and record their faces on video.

A source at the Andaman Club on the island said its 205 rooms are fully booked from December 29 to January 4.

--The Nation 2003-12-30

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hey Georgie...he's a bit of a spoil sport isn't he ?

[parryhandy]

Whats the real story here then ? Its obvious that "gambling " isnt the issue because Thailand itself is considering casinos and football betting is currently allowed unofficially and soon to be officially allowed through the government lottery organisations.So whats the real agenda.Have they fell out with Cambodia about something ?

[PvtDick]

It's about three things and three things only: money, money, and money.

Millions of baht are siphoned out of Thailand's economy into the Poipet casinoes every day. The few winners who bring money back in do not pay income taxes on it. An additional sore point is that the casino owners are mostly Thai citizens, who put the money into offshore accounts where they, too, are untaxed by the Thai government. The Thai government loses out however way you look at it.

That's why they're looking at legalizing gambling: the money will stay in Thailand and the those that benefit can be taxed.

[parryhandy]

Why doesnt he just send the ex health minister who managed to win "240 million baht " from aussie casinos in 8 months and not pay offs from drug companies as claimed. He would wipe them out with his luck.

[DaveYo]

I think the PM is getting paronoid here.

Record the faces of one on video is suspected of gambling across the border??? They have not committed a crime. To top it off, now he wants to control his own subordinates from having fun and threatens them of their jobs and pensions. Wow!!!!!! Even if they did go to have fun and gamble some, what crime did they do to the public. What happened to freedom here????????????

I think the PM wants to exert his broad powers so he can see himself just how far he can go without being checked himself. Is it possible this power is getting into his head and the feeling of such is beginning to overwhelm him????

Like I said before he holds tremendous power short of their highnesses and whew that is a lot of power to be held by someone. This is very scary indeed. I have a feeling something bad is going to happen within the near future. Have no idea but the feeling is strong. I don't even want to mention the possible scenario, but yes the PM can do something that can shock everyone almost overnight.

They (the lawmakers) need to change their own laws and wake up fast before its too late, and split these powers so one does not become a dictator almost overnight. For example in USA, we have checks and balances. The legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch and the Executive Branch. Under this system no one can assume to hold the full powers and such is split up and divided.

As I have said in previous posts, this borders on short of dictatorship like the Marcos regime and of some other regimes in the past.

Hasn't anybody noticed his activities the past year of the orders he has given?? and those who are forced to carry out those orders????????? and of how many may have died under his term in office??????

Someone mentioned on this forum some time ago about what took place in Germany before 1940, before this same person became another Ceasar!!!!!!!!! Seems the scenario is being repeated to some extent all over again, but in a different way parallel to past events. Why I tend to agree to this I have no idea, but the coincidences are all there in some way and in some form. What a scary thought to think that history may repeat itself in the near future.!!!!!!

I wonder what is next up his sleeves????????

Daveyoti

[PvtDick]

You've got the rise of the 4th Reich on your mind and you think the PRIME MINISTER is paranoid???

Thailand has its own form of checks and balances. The government, the bureaucracy, the police, the military, and the Royalty. Any one of them gets too far out of whack, the others kick in (in their own way).

Thailand does not need a benevolent, democratic leader (a la Chuan or Anand) who is too impotent politically to effect any real changes. They need a benevolent dictator, a la Lee Kuan Yew, who has both the will and the power to propel the country forward. Taksin is the first PM in recent history who has had both, and I think the country will end up benefiting greatly. Most of the Thai people I have spoken to feel the same.

[DaveYo]

PVT, your wrong. Look up on about the power he has. There was an article not long ago that I read and there is very little if any that the parliament can do to censor the PM himself. The way the current law is written right now, he has absolute power short of their Highnesses and he can pooh pooh the parliament any time of the day and or night. I do believe if I remember correctly of what I read, the only time that the parliament can step in is if the PM associated himself to some supposed illegal activity in Thailand whether directly or indirectly and there has to be some conclusive evidence of such to prove it. Even if they get this far, it requires a certain percentage of votes to proceed on impeachment process and it does not take much coming from the PM himself to abort any such attempt. Other than that it is clear sailing for him and that is what is so scary overall. I don't think you have any idea of his immense authority of what he can do at the crack of the whip.

The military yes, they have their own set up, but they are supposingly under the direction of their Highnesses of Thailand. I have seen it happen before, that the military can switch at the drop of the hat and go to the other side. Hmmmm, Thailand at one time or another has experienced this in the past. Even the USA had such in 1860!!!!!!!!!!! The North vs the South. And of course Ninoy Aquino of the Philippines vs Marcos. My ex herself experienced live first hand the life under a Dictator and Martial Law. The stories she told me gives me the willies. Many were taken into custody, and held for years and to this day many died under the former regime to have them silenced.

Read up on his power and of the options anyone has other than the Highnesses of Thailand. To some extent the PM can order the Military to almost do anything over there the way the laws currently stand as of now.

The Judicial Branch is powerless itself unless it has the backing of the police and military and the people and the government. If they lose two or three out of these forget it. Simple equation exists.

Once you understand, you too will think differently and also wonder of what is going on.

Daveyoti

[singa-traz]

Like I said before he holds tremendous power short of their highnesses and whew that is a lot of power to be held by someone. This is very scary indeed. I have a feeling something bad is going to happen within the near future. Have no idea but the feeling is strong. I don't even want to mention the possible scenario, but yes the PM can do something that can shock everyone almost overnight.

You mean like ... he could get re-elected ?

PvtDick is right, it's all about the $$$ ... legalizing gambling will enable the flow of money to change ... and Tax to be collected ?

Singapore has also been flirting with the idea to open a Casino ... even if the official line is still a No-No ... but rather collect some Tax money in Singapore than to let it go to the Malaysian in Genting ...