The Royal Coast Firms As a Casino Location Favourite

[webfact]

 

By Editor

 

To learn directly from members of the government committee set up to consider the future of casinos in Thailand, the Royal Coast Review attended a forum on Friday evening (July 29th), moderated by John Laroche, CEO of the Phoenix Group.

 

From a local perspective, a key revelation was that the Royal; Coast is one of five recommended as future casino and entertainment centre locations. 

 

 

The forum heard from Dr Saensak Siriphanich and Mr Udorn Olsson, both key members of the 60 member committee.  Mr Olsson provided a local perspective as a high-profile Hua Hin business person and political identity. It was stated that a final report with recommendations to move forward to establish legal casinos in Thailand was delivered to government on 27th July.

 

The forum was told that the committee has met over 30 times during the past six months and conducted extensive consultations with experts.  Information was received from 49 countries to further understand best practice casino policy, regulation and management. 

 

The final report recommends changing the long-standing taboo on gambling in Thailand by establishing legal casinos in five locations, a recommendation agreed to by 90% of the multi-party committee members.

 

 

The process will next involve government cabinet considerations expected to approve the committee’s recommendations, then for regulations to be framed. The speakers were optimistic that there can be licenses approved and investment agreements in place before the end of the year. 

 

 

The favoured model was described as similar to that of Singapore, a casino location which Mr Olsson says is often visited by Thai families as it provides suitable entertainment facilities and much more than just a gambling venue.

 

This model is for venues to include a five star hotels, conference and exhibition spaces, theme parks with golf courses and green spaces as well as a casino.  An investment of around US$ 300 million was described as a requirement for each project.

 

The prospect of a significant boost to tourism numbers and government income was described with a determination not cause disruption to traditional Thai family life, but a way to enhance community and social development and a way to fund additional community services.  

 

 

Although naming Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin) but not Phetchaburi; the speakers stated that one preferred location is within 40 kilometres of the Hua Hin Airport, a zone often identified as Thailand’s Royal Coast. This means a site could be in either province.

 

The specific regional location is yet to be determined; however the recommendation is that this should be away from a current city precinct (Hua Hin) and needing at least 100 Rai of suitable and available land. 

Additional to the Royal Coast location, the other four recommended locations are greater Bangkok, Krabi, Chiang Rai and Bueng Kan.  Bueng Kan is Thailand’s 76th and newest province in the north east of the country.  Dr Saensak was dismissive of previous reports describing different locations which seem to have been based on speculation, rather than agreed committee recommendations.

 

However it must be noted that there remains a Thailand government cabinet agreement and commitment to accept the committee recommendations before there is certainty casinos will go ahead. 

 

There’s still a long way to go before casinos become significant tourism attractions and part of the region and the country’s landscape.

 

Full story: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/the-royal-coast-firms-as-a-casino-location-favourite/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-30

 

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[JoePai]

Ambassador City Jomtien was built for this - plus near to U-Tapao - plus near the new high speed(?) airports rail link

[webfact]

moved to Thailand News

 

/Admin

[Chelseafan]

Theyve met 30 times and still can't make a decision!.? What are they waiting for? 

[John Drake]

1 hour ago, Chelseafan said:

Theyve met 30 times and still can't make a decision!.? What are they waiting for? 

Gue$$.

[Orinoco]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Ambassador City Jomtien was built for this - plus near to U-Tapao - plus near the new high speed(?) airports rail link

Yes, Also I  think a fair old chunk of land around the Jomtien area,  was or still is owned buy that guy and his family,  i just can't remember his name, you no that good guy of Thailand !!!!!!!!! 

Anyone ? 

[RandiRona]

If you are building this for tourists then make them  in tourists towns not in middle of no where.

[findlay13]

4 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Theyve met 30 times and still can't make a decision!.? What are they waiting for? 

The envelopes

 

[herfiehandbag]

7 hours ago, RandiRona said:

If you are building this for tourists then make them  in tourists towns not in middle of no where.

The "tourists" they intend building these for will be flown in to the nearest airport by the planeload from a country not too far to the North East and bussed straight to the casino. They will stay in the casino's hotels, eat in it's restaurants and enjoy their "entertainment venues". Once they have "had their fun they will be flown out again...

[herfiehandbag]

We joke about how "the establishment" really just want tourists to come here, leave their money and go, these proposals are little more than setting up the machinery to allow just that.

[Lucky Bones]

9 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Theyve met 30 times and still can't make a decision!.? What are they waiting for? 

A 60 person committee is likely the problem. That's a lot of brown envelopes to get people onside.