Prayut and Prawit offer "no comment" on Thailand casino project

[webfact]

Daily News  Thai caption: No comment

 

Thailand's two main political protagonists refused to be drawn on the issue of opening a legal casino in the country.

 

Yet their "no comment" stance speaks volumes, suggest ASEAN NOW. 

 

It is one of the thorniest issues and has been at the top of the news in the last week after MPs debated the issue last week then there was cross party consensus in setting up a Casino Commission of 60 MPs to look into the matter.

 

Yesterday Daily News went with a caption on a photo of masked PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and DPM Prawit Wongsuwon of "No comment" a direct transliteration of English.

 

They did have a few things to say, however on the plan to try and get tourism money from foreign gamblers but it was not about foreigners, more about their own nationals.

 

Both know that the comments of some MPs that a casino would only be for foreign gamblers masks wider issues of involvement by Thais.

 

Prayuth said the idea of an "Entertainment Complex" was up to the house.

 

"It's not my idea, I've got nothing to say," he offered. "It's a matter for the people".

 

Prawit also said he had nothing to say and would leave it to the house.

 

Pressed by the media if Thailand was ready for a legalized casino he said obliquely:

 

"Look what's happening in Thailand. Look around you. They are all going abroad to gamble".

 

The media took this to mean Thai nationals going to neighboring countries like Cambodia and Laos to bet. Casinos exist just across the Thai borders.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that the reticence of the "big two" in Thai politics to speak on the issue is not surprising. The issue divides public opinion. Youth groups have already expressed their concern to the House in a letter.

 

While the idea is gaining much traction among MPs it is widely known that Prayuth in particular is against the idea. 

 

Illegal casinos exist everywhere in Thailand many operating in virtual plain sight. 

 

They are widely believed to operate with the connivance of the police and politicians. 

 

Having a legal casino - for that is what the euphemistic Entertainment Complex would be - is one of the biggest hot potatoes in Thailand and Prayuth and Prawit's reluctance to speak can be seen in that light. 

 

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[Thaiwrath]

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

"It's not my idea, I've got nothing to say," he offered. "It's a matter for the people".

It's a great pity the choice of Prime Minister and government is no longer "a matter for the people" !

[JoePai]

Is the small dumpy one alive or is that a wax work copy ?

[Geoffggi]

Are PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and DPM Prawit Wongsuwon sitting on the fence to see which side to jump that will give them the best profiles .........

[ezzra]

Of course they're saying nothing..

They'r hedging their bets, to use a pun saying...

Edited December 4, 2021 by ezzra

[soi3eddie]

Surely they should be concetrating on more beneficial things for the Thai people and the Thai economy than bloody casinos? Seems a measure of the inefectiveness of these incompetant buffoons.

 

[Eric Loh]

Previous monarch was against any form of legalized gambling and most Thais don’t want casino. Politicians stay clear away from this unpopular subject for obvious reasons. Fast forward now, sentiment from the people is still unclear and not making any comment is strategically wise. Setting up a commission to study the subject is a bold decision and toe dipping to test the water. It will probably end up with a suggestion for a referendum to be held and unlikely by the current government. 

[RichardColeman]

they are selling it wrong.

1 casino = 1 submarines a year in tax revenue

2 casino = 1 submarine and 10 tanks

3 casino = 1 sub, 10 tanks and nice shiny attack plane

etc.

 

sold like this , the immigrants would be laying the foundations tomorrow

[GlassWayOverHalfFull]

2 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Are PM Prayuth Chan-ocha and DPM Prawit Wongsuwon sitting on the fence to see which side to jump that will give them the best profiles .........

that's a politicians job. implementing what the people want

[GlassWayOverHalfFull]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

Surely they should be concetrating on more beneficial things for the Thai people and the Thai economy than bloody casinos? Seems a measure of the inefectiveness of these incompetant buffoons.

 

what like generating huge tax revenues from a casino so they can use it for the Thai people?

[lapamita]

8 minutes ago, GlassWayOverHalfFull said:

what like generating huge tax revenues from a casino so they can use it for the Thai people?

tax is secondary belive me, and comes far behind private intrest

better for the country is no casinos,  but  even a long time before, since the changes started in pattaya ( and maybe other places) , i see that without se.xtoruism  , the city have no real attraction.

the city today is desperate needing asian, spec chinese , to survive

 

so the logic is casinos , to attrac the tourist the goverment wants

 

bad bad bad ,missing the golden time of pattaya , what is dying

[dutchman]

I cannot believe they will allow it, lot people on debt also. so gambling facility may be only for the rich and the quality tourist they want to offer their toy

 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's two main political protagonists refused to be drawn on the issue of opening a legal casino in the country.

Two men who should have nothing to with politics, never mind casinos.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"It's not my idea, I've got nothing to say," he offered. "It's a matter for the people".

How so... will they get to have a referendum/vote on whether they want a casino or not?

Or will it be the "influential" people who have a stake in it that will decide?

 

[sead]

Please give these 2 guys some time to first invest some money into casino stocks before they allow it. ..............

[tandor]

...in other words...yes.

[tandor]

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

they are selling it wrong.

1 casino = 1 submarines a year in tax revenue

2 casino = 1 submarine and 10 tanks

3 casino = 1 sub, 10 tanks and nice shiny attack plane

etc.

 

sold like this , the immigrants would be laying the foundations tomorrow

...Thailand can't resist anything.

[engamann]

Ask yourself who is behind all the illegal casinos that run all over Thailand to day , then you have the answers of why them don't want legal ones , not really rocket science. 

[bikerbri]

There is more money to be made for from illegal gambling sites and the corruption it creates, a big slice of which. goes to the local mafia. Opening legal casinos which will put money into the local economy through taxation and benefit all Thai people, is not what the local mafia want.

[BestB]

Translation is a lot more simple than many think.

 

Neither one has any say in it and neither one has the opportunity to have financial interest in it, all already taken

[bkk6060]

It would be very popular and help tourism.  I would go occasionally play some slots and give them 100 bucks. 

[gwynt]

57 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

How so... will they get to have a referendum/vote on whether they want a casino or not?

Or will it be the "influential" people who have a stake in it that will decide?

 

Already decided already built a few.

[zzaa09]

4 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Surely they should be concetrating on more beneficial things for the Thai people and the Thai economy than bloody casinos? Seems a measure of the inefectiveness of these incompetant buffoons.

 

Yet, when have they ever been behind or passionately promoted anything practical and beneficial for the people? They exist, and were placed, for other things.

Any such rhetorical inquiries tend to be a bit moot. 

Same as it ever was.

Edited December 4, 2021 by zzaa09

[Zack61]

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is the small dumpy one alive or is that a wax work copy ?

Watch this space

[Zack61]

2 hours ago, bikerbri said:

There is more money to be made for from illegal gambling sites and the corruption it creates, a big slice of which. goes to the local mafia. Opening legal casinos which will put money into the local economy through taxation and benefit all Thai people, is not what the local mafia want.

They just want somewhere to launder their money from the illegal ones

[connda]

Probably because these guys are constantly moralizing about illegal gambling, or in other words, gambling that the government doesn't receive a cut of the profits. 
"Bad evil people gamble, blah blah blah.  The Tu Twins just want to save you from yourselves and Buddhist Gambling Hell."

Lottery?  Legal.  Why?  The right people get the profits.
Casinos?  Probably will be legal.  Why?  The right people get the profits.
All other gambling?  Illegal.  Why?  Ya'll get the logic.
Same as cannabis.
Cannabis grown and processed by the right people. Legal.
Cannabis grown by the commoners.  Illegal.

"Elementary my dear Watson.  Economics and power!"

[thailand49]

Dumb and Dumber thought they were cute in saying no comment but they actually gave themselves away which is what the two do best the more they talk the more it becomes clear " going abroad " but the two are actually waiting for the final numbers being donated first to make a decision.????

[sammieuk1]

Has Prawit got his lunch in his mask or is he breaking it in for a buffalo ???? 

[herfiehandbag]

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

Is the small dumpy one alive or is that a wax work copy ?

Keeping his own council - might be described as a "watching brief"!

[natway09]

"No comment" means,  Not quite figured out yet how we can maximize our personal returns