Mixed Reactions to Thailand's Proposed Casino Complexes

[webfact]

 

Assistant Director of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Wichian Kaeosombat, and his team shared the economic impact of opening casino-centric entertainment complexes in Thailand on June 10th, 2024.

 

These proposed entertainment complexes are part of a government initiative. They include a casino, a shopping mall, a five-star hotel, diverse dining options, a convention centre, an amusement park, and other advanced facilities.

 

By 2033, the Thai government plans to establish these complexes in Khlong Toei Pier in Bangkok, Bang Kachao in Samut Prakan, Rayong near Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

 

Wichian highlighted several positive economic outcomes, such as attracting foreign investments, boosting tourism revenue, creating jobs, and increasing government earnings through taxes and fees. These complexes aim to become significant economic drivers.

 

However, the prospective downsides are concerning. Wichian warned of potential increases in underground economy activities, household debt, income inequality, and the social costs linked to gambling addiction.

 

To counter these issues, he recommended strict regulations, rehabilitation programs for gambling addicts, and the allocation of revenues towards social and economic development initiatives by the government.

 

Further insights were gathered from an opinion survey conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The survey revealed that 41.6% of respondents disagreed with the proposal, with 19.3% slightly agreeing and 16.4% strongly against it.

 

When asked if they would use the entertainment complexes, 51.3% were strongly against visiting, 22.4% were unsure, and only 10.6% were definitely interested.

 

On an international scale, 46.7% of respondents felt the establishment would not affect Thailand’s image, 42.6% thought it would tarnish the image, and 10.7% believed it would improve the country’s image.

 

As for the preferred locations, 40.9% of respondents chose Phuket, 17.3% favoured Khlong Toei Pier in Bangkok, and 16.6% supported the EEC in Rayong or near Pattaya.

 

File photo courtesy: Wikimedia

 

-- 2024-06-12

 

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[englishoak]

Heads it goes ahead, Tails it doesn't. 

[NotEinstein]

Casinos in Thailand, all be it underground, have been in operation for decades - my wife's first job was as a receptionist/cheque runner for the well-to-do of Chiang Mai. A swanky new 'hotel' is almost complete to be the latest iteration here. For the low-so class, surely every village has a house that acts as a gambling den - these are the ones that the police raid - not the hi-so 'hotels'.

 

If gambling is against the ethos of Thailand, why is there the lottery?

Our village head monk spends 10's of thousands of donations on it every 2 weeks.....

[HappyExpat57]

My son works for the gaming industry in Washington State. The casinos have promised for YEARS that some of the proceeds would go to schools and roads. Even more, the legal weed businesses have promised the same.

 

Washington State is in the top ten for worst roads in the US. Their schools are an embarrassment.

 

In a country rife with corruption, I see no up side to legalizing casinos other than lining pockets of those who control the industry.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

These proposed entertainment complexes are part of a government initiative. They include a casino, a shopping mall, a five-star hotel, diverse dining options, a convention centre, an amusement park, and other advanced facilities.

Sounds better than Nana, Walking street, Soi 6 and the rest of the cat alleys.

[Srikcir]

7 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

My son

Your son works for one of the licensed casinos that are allowed only on Indian reservations in Washington State?

There are 35 Indian casinos in the state that are providing living wage jobs, opportunities for advancement and careers that benefit themselves, family and reservation community. https://www.washingtonindiangaming.org

 

Generally, tribal casinos in the US are free from US  taxes.

As such proceeds used for roads and schools apply to only tribal reservation properties. And you would not see those funds going to off-reservation nontribal developments. No State can otherwise plan use for such gambling proceeds for its own purposes.

 

 

[hanbla]

A Casino is an institution where you not only can gamble, but also laundry your dirty money. That's why they close them in many countries now. Perhaps that's why the government are so eager to open one?

[HappyExpat57]

27 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Your son works for one of the licensed casinos that are allowed only on Indian reservations in Washington State?

There are 35 Indian casinos in the state that are providing living wage jobs, opportunities for advancement and careers that benefit themselves, family and reservation community. https://www.washingtonindiangaming.org

 

Generally, tribal casinos in the US are free from US  taxes.

As such proceeds used for roads and schools apply to only tribal reservation properties. And you would not see those funds going to off-reservation nontribal developments. No State can otherwise plan use for such gambling proceeds for its own purposes.

 

 

No, you assumed wrong. He works in in one of the NON-tribal card rooms. And if you've ever been to the tribal lands in Washington, they're dirt poor ghettos. The dealers make barely liveable wages and Washing State has come down on ALL dealers about reporting their tips. That USED to be how it was a relatively decent living (reporting a small percentage of actual cash you took home nightly), but that loophole is closed. The casino owners sure drive nice cars and have beautiful, expensive homes though, so I guess it all evens out.

[Purdey]

I like the idea of situating it at Khlong Toei Pier as tourists could also come on cruises for a bit of fun.

[realfunster]

13 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

My son works for the gaming industry in Washington State. The casinos have promised for YEARS that some of the proceeds would go to schools and roads. Even more, the legal weed businesses have promised the same.

 

Washington State is in the top ten for worst roads in the US. Their schools are an embarrassment.

 

In a country rife with corruption, I see no up side to legalizing casinos other than lining pockets of those who control the industry.

I would assume in the good ole US of A that the casinos are paying their legally required state and federal taxes though right ? Otherwise the State Troopers, ATF, FBI and IRS would be kicking in the doors with prejudice.
 

Why would they be responsible for contributions to repairing the roads or supporting schools ? I even doubt they could do the latter for fear of being accused of trying to groom future gamblers.

 

I have several unhealthy and damaging habits which includes drinking, smoking and eating biscuits.

These things are taxed to varying degrees but I don’t expect McVities, as a purveyor of a wholly unhealthy but delicious snack (pick your own favourite) , to be separately subsidizing my local recreation area as some sort of corporate atonement for their contribution to obesity and diabetes.
 

We are all adults and can make our own life choices. 

[realfunster]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

I like the idea of situating it at Khlong Toei Pier as tourists could also come on cruises for a bit of fun.

Must admit that sounded a bit of an odd choice at first but then I remembered reading recently that they are moving the whole of Bangkok Port somewhere else. I guess that area will get the Siam Paragon/Asiatique redevelopment treatment, which makes more sense. 

[HappyExpat57]

7 hours ago, realfunster said:

I would assume in the good ole US of A that the casinos are paying their legally required state and federal taxes though right ? Otherwise the State Troopers, ATF, FBI and IRS would be kicking in the doors with prejudice.
 

Why would they be responsible for contributions to repairing the roads or supporting schools ? I even doubt they could do the latter for fear of being accused of trying to groom future gamblers.

 

I have several unhealthy and damaging habits which includes drinking, smoking and eating biscuits.

These things are taxed to varying degrees but I don’t expect McVities, as a purveyor of a wholly unhealthy but delicious snack (pick your own favourite) , to be separately subsidizing my local recreation area as some sort of corporate atonement for their contribution to obesity and diabetes.
 

We are all adults and can make our own life choices. 

The casinos and pot businesses made the pitch for legalizing their operations in exchange for helping the local communities. They didn't have to make these contributions and the communities didn't have to allow them to build in their backyards. It was supposed to be a quid pro quo. Well, the quid happened but the quo never seemed to get there.