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Legal casinos and gambling in Thailand being weighed up carefully after Deputy PM’s backing

webfact

By webfact
in Thailand News

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webfact Grand Master Member

webfact

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In September, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin suggested that the government should move to legalise online gambling sites to boost the economy and provide extra funds to vulnerable groups. It follows calls from Bhumjaithai Party MP Saritpong Kiewkhong on casinos. The MP wants to see the government move forward with recommendations issued by a panel of the last House of Representatives in 2022.


Bhumjaithai Party MP last month urged the government to look at how Singapore is benefiting from selectly legalising casinos with a report that the US casino and entertainment behemoth Sands may be interested in developing opportunities in Thailand if they arise.


Thailand’s leaders are considering plans put forward last year for legalising gambling and casinos in the Kingdom. In September, Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin came out in favour of the move and has promised to bring the matter to cabinet. By and large, public opinion is hostile to the prospect, as are many experts, given the history of gambling in the country and the social ills it creates. There is also concern that the move may send the wrong signal as the new government seeks to broaden the country’s investor appeal and base and become a ‘good’ global player. However, with the Finance Ministry looking to find new sources of tax revenue, a potential boost for tourism and avid interest from large foreign operators, the proposal has its merits with those supporting the move pointing to Singapore’s experience. 

 

An MP with the Bhumjaithai Party, which controversially legalised cannabis in June last year, is making noises about legalising casinos in the Kingdom to generate badly needed revenue for the Government and to combat the growth of illegal gambling dens and online betting activities.

 

by Carla Boonkong & Pranee O' Connor

 

Full story: Thai Examiner.com 2023-10-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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mikebell Diamond Member

mikebell

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

to generate badly needed revenue for the Government and to combat the growth of illegal gambling dens and online betting activities.

The police will never allow it - they only ever raid their competitors.

IF it ever happens I will make a prediction, the 1st one will be at The Ambassador Jomtien.  It was rumoured that Thaksin (before his exile) had the support of a very powerful ally in making this happen.

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newnative Ruby Member

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2 hours ago, retarius said:

Great idea, let's load poor Thais up with higher debts.

    Not a viable excuse.  Limit admittance to foreign passport holders and Thais with a minimum specified income who have applied for and received a special admittance card. The gambling proceeds could actually benefit poor Thais, with some of the money directed to social programs.

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2baht Ruby Member

2baht

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s leaders are considering plans put forward last year for legalising gambling and casinos in the Kingdom.

 

     With household debt running at 90%, this is a great idea! 🙄:thumbsup::jap:

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retarius Platinum Member

retarius

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On 10/27/2023 at 8:53 AM, newnative said:

    Not a viable excuse.  Limit admittance to foreign passport holders and Thais with a minimum specified income who have applied for and received a special admittance card. The gambling proceeds could actually benefit poor Thais, with some of the money directed to social programs.

BS give me an example of a country or state where gambling has helped poor people. Monaco? Las Vegas? Even in the territories where it was supposed to help the profits are creamed of by the elite. <deleted> gambling it is the source of misery for millions and huge profits for a few. 

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bob smith Platinum Member

bob smith

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Here, I will make it nice and clear for you:

 

TURN PATAYA INTO THE LAS VEGAS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA!

 

The whole beach road, wall to wall casinos and hotels.

 

The potential cash revenue will be enormous.

It will create thousands of jobs, and as long as all entrants are 21 years old and above then I don’t see what the big problem is.

 

Hell if you are so concerned about Thai citizens losing all their life savings in one of these places then make them foreigner only.

 

Who knows, maybe one day Rod Stewart himself will do a 2 week residency at one of the swanky new hotels!

 

 

Edited by bob smith
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newnative Ruby Member

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On 10/27/2023 at 9:00 AM, retarius said:

BS give me an example of a country or state where gambling has helped poor people. Monaco? Las Vegas? Even in the territories where it was supposed to help the profits are creamed of by the elite. <deleted> gambling it is the source of misery for millions and huge profits for a few. 

     There are many examples but here's one--do the rest of the research yourself.  In America, roughly half of the state run lotteries earmark the net proceeds of the funds to go to education.  O course, increased tourism--to places like Las Vegas, benefits the local economy and provides well-paying jobs for the local population.  And, as I said, safeguards can be put in place.  As others have mentioned, the poor are already betting now.

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2baht Ruby Member

2baht

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18 minutes ago, bob smith said:

The 2 test cases for this project should be PATAYA and PHUKET!

   

      The most famous casinos are in BKK! 👮‍♂️:jap: They busted a "legendary casino" just this week!

 

 

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Purdey Platinum Member

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Gambling is a serious addiction for some Thais. I do hope they figure out a way to only allow those who can afford it to enter. On the other hand, having visited Las Vegas and Macau as a non-gambler, the professional entertainment was good and I understand why even families go.

As most employment in Macau seems to come from the casinos and related businesses (restaurants etc.), I doubt they can afford to end gambling.

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hotchilli Star Member

hotchilli

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8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s leaders are considering plans put forward last year for legalising gambling and casinos in the Kingdom.

Can you imagine the corruption if casinos are allowed to operate in Thailand?

 

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xtrnuno41 Gold Member

xtrnuno41

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Isaan (Khonkaen) would be better.

However they are going to built a new airport in Phang nga, so that would be the place?

Guess all just will be better for groups like CP.

Big Thai conglomerates with a monopoly on it.

Maybe some big Chinese building companies profiting for building all.

I wouldnt be surprised if they are already "having talks".

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Mr Meeseeks Ruby Member

Mr Meeseeks

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5 hours ago, quake said:

Yes all for casinos.

Time for Thailand to move forward and put the big pants on.

They just need to learn how to manage it all.


Thais learning how to manage anything would be a similar leap in evolution as homo erectus discovering fire. 
 

Also, not going to happen. Too much corruption here and too many vested interests threatened. 

 

 

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