Government Decisions On Legalising Thai Casinos Stall

[webfact]

 

 

By Editor

After a final report with recommendations to move forward to establish legal casinos in Thailand was delivered to government on 27th July 2022, a 29th July forum in Hua Hin heard from Dr Saensak Siriphanich and Mr Udorn Olsson, both key members of the 60 person committee.

 

The speakers suggested that government cabinet considerations were expected to approve the committee’s recommendations to establish legal casinos, then for regulations to be framed. The speakers were optimistic that there could be licenses approved and investment agreements in place before the end of the year (2022). 

 

Although naming Prachuap Khiri Khan Province (Hua Hin) but not Phetchaburi; the speakers stated that the preferred regional 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 recommendation was that the site should be away from a current city precinct (Hua Hin) and needing at least 100 Rai of suitable and available land. 

 

Since July 2022, there has been no reports of progress in government considerations of the parliamentary committee recommendations; a situation confirmed to the Royal Coast Review by Mr Udorn Olsson. 

 

One industry spokesperson says that Government moves to develop a legalised casino industry are likely to remain on hold until after the country’s 2023 general election, scheduled to take place in May.

 

Speaking at the 2022 MGS (Macao Gaming Show), a massive annual three-day gaming and entertainment exhibition in Macau, Paul Bromberg, CEO of Spectrum Asia and a long-time resident of Thailand, noted that progress on casino legalisation had slowed since the parliamentary committee studying casino feasibility submitted its findings to parliament in July.

 

The main reason for that, according to Bromberg, is the looming election.  “There is a lot to sort out politically in the country before the focus returns to the legalisation of casinos.”

 

Asked whether Thailand’s casino dream would become a reality, Bromberg replied, “I think now there is true bipartisan support for casino legalisation.

 

There have been polls showing that the vast majority of the Thai population would not object to having casinos, although when you get down to a more micro level local communities might object.  

 

So the atmosphere right now is more beneficial than it has ever been in the past 50 years.”

 

Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2023/01/government-decisions-on-legalising-thai-casinos-stall/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2023-01-07

 

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[mikebell]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

the 60 person committee.

How many were police?  The only laws enforced are those that directly benefit the B(andits) I(n) B(rown).

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

After a final report with recommendations to move forward to establish legal casinos in Thailand was delivered to government on 27th July 2022, a 29th July forum in Hua Hin heard from Dr Saensak Siriphanich and Mr Udorn Olsson, both key members of the 60 person committee.

I think the Chinese money laundering connections in Thailand might have put a spanner in the works as far as legalisng casinos go.

[RichardColeman]

Stalled due to 'bidding war' would be my guess

[brianthainess]

Government Decisions On Legalising Thai Casinos Stall

When I first read this I was thinking market stalls ???? but strangely it would not have surprised me at all in LOS.

[jcmj]

I’m sure when it comes down to the vote the highest bidder with a hefty envelope will win. I imagine the fact that they are expanding the Utapao airport and it’s location close to Pattaya will have quite a few “bids”. 

[lujanit]

I'm not surprised the decision has been stalled considering that most of the illegal casinos here are owned by those in politics, BIB, Chinese or a combination of all three.  There will be some big brown packets passed around before any decision is made.

[newnative]

As always, way too slow on everything.  Whatever happened to gay marriage?

[Purdey]

I wish they wouldn't spoil Hua Hin and surroundings further. Chopping down the forest or encroaching on the beaches is a terrible idea let it go to Pattaya where everything was destroyed years ago 

[madmitch]

On 1/6/2023 at 11:19 PM, mikebell said:

How many were police?  The only laws enforced are those that directly benefit the B(andits) I(n) B(rown).

And I wonder how much they paid to get on the committee? Could be a nice little earner!