Ex-PM Abhisit Warns Legal Casinos Could Harm Thai Society

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed strong opposition to the government's plan to legalize casinos and online gambling, warning of potential social consequences. Speaking at a recent seminar, Abhisit labeled gambling a major social issue causing harm to both individuals and families.

 

The legalization initiative was part of the Pheu Thai Party's campaign for the 2023 elections, promising regulation and revenue collection from gambling. However, Abhisit criticized the lack of public discourse and clarity on other activities that might be legalized.

 

Abhisit argued that online gambling, in particular, could increase household debt and crime rates, despite claims from the government that casinos would generate revenue and boost employment.

 

 

He raised doubts about the potential employment benefits for Thai workers, suggesting that jobs might go to migrant workers instead. Abhisit also emphasized the need for strict law enforcement to prevent money laundering through these establishments.

 

According to a survey from the Centre for Gambling Studies, over 50% of 8,000 people oppose the legalization. Director Nuannoi Trirat criticized the government for not holding a referendum on the issue.

 

Despite opposition, the Cabinet approved a bill on January 13 to establish casino-entertainment complexes. The Council of State has 50 days to review the bill before it goes to the House for discussion. Pakorn Nilprapunt, Secretary General of the council, noted the government's urgency in fast-tracking this policy, sidestepping the need for a referendum given its parliamentary approval during the Pheu Thai campaign.

 

-- 2025-02-10

 

 

[ozz1]

Yes but illegal ones which do exist are ok as long as the police are getting a kickback

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, ozz1 said:

Yes but illegal ones which do exist are ok as long as the police are getting a kickback

Did he say that? He is addressing a very important factor, that the Thai people likes to gamble too much, and therefore it might become a financial problem for many families. The sad thing is that he is right. On the other hand, I am positive to legal casinos, as it must come in as a learning curve for people. The government can not continue to overprotect the citizens. They must learn to take sensible decisions. However, that will take time, and during that time many will suffer.

[newbee2022]

Ouch, he didn't get any shares??. What a shame.🤗

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Ouch, he didn't get any shares??. What a shame.🤗

 

 

I guess that is a problem for the 'straight' politicians.

[CallumWK]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Did he say that? He is addressing a very important factor, that the Thai people likes to gamble too much, and therefore it might become a financial problem for many families. The sad thing is that he is right.

 

No he is not right, and neither are you.

Legal casinos don't pose a threat to society, if they are regulated in the same way as neighboring countries, where locals aren't allowed access, unless they can prove they are wealthy.

Illegal casinos, on the other hand, are operating everywhere in Thailand, and pose that threat because mom and pop with little money are allowed to get in debt gambling their possessions to the loan sharks.

[spidermike007]

Abhisit is just as lost in space as he was when he was briefly PM. Casinos won't change anything as many Thais are compulsive gamblers anyway. What could what could cause harm is the fact that the next government will likely make them illegal again, causing billions of dollars worth of losses to the developers who were gullible enough to build them. 

 

All one has to do is look next door to Cambodia to see what a disaster that was. 

 

 

[Hunz Kittisak]

Loser trying to keep himself relevant and in the limelight. Hope Thais never forget this turncoat’s betrayal 

[Harrisfan]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Did he say that? He is addressing a very important factor, that the Thai people likes to gamble too much, and therefore it might become a financial problem for many families. The sad thing is that he is right. On the other hand, I am positive to legal casinos, as it must come in as a learning curve for people. The government can not continue to overprotect the citizens. They must learn to take sensible decisions. However, that will take time, and during that time many will suffer.

Alcohol and drug abuse is rife in Thailand. Road accidents worst in world.

 

1 or 2 casinos is pretty minor in comparison.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Abhisit also emphasized the need for strict law enforcement to prevent money laundering through these establishments.

Good luck with that one

[fvw53]

6 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Yes but illegal ones which do exist are ok as long as the police are getting a kickback

 

Yes indeed !!!

[The Old Bull]

The question that is asked whenever new casinos are proposed is do they bring in new money or just redistribute existing money?

[Gottfrid]

19 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

Alcohol and drug abuse is rife in Thailand. Road accidents worst in world.

 

1 or 2 casinos is pretty minor in comparison.

I agree. That´s why I posted I am positive to legal casinos

 

[Gottfrid]

19 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

No he is not right, and neither are you.

Legal casinos don't pose a threat to society, if they are regulated in the same way as neighboring countries, where locals aren't allowed access, unless they can prove they are wealthy.

Illegal casinos, on the other hand, are operating everywhere in Thailand, and pose that threat because mom and pop with little money are allowed to get in debt gambling their possessions to the loan sharks.

You must have missed all the people sitting on songthaews or busses taking the bridge bus over to play casino on a daily basis up in NongKhai. Or the flood of very well dressed people walking over the border at PoiPet. They really look wealthy. So I assume they refuse them, but they just keep coming every day, right? 

[Mike_Hunt]

Casinos take money from people who don't understand probability. 

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Casinos take money from people who don't understand probability. 

 

 

That extends to village casinos especially.

 

 

Sounds like the actions of government.

[Harrisfan]

10 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Casinos take money from people who don't understand probability. 

Can't fix stupid. 

[JimHuaHin]

Totally agree, but the immoral Thai political leadership have no morals.

[CallumWK]

59 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

You must have missed all the people sitting on songthaews or busses taking the bridge bus over to play casino on a daily basis up in NongKhai. Or the flood of very well dressed people walking over the border at PoiPet. They really look wealthy. So I assume they refuse them, but they just keep coming every day, right? 

 

You must have missed that they are Thais walking over the border into another country, where they are not locals but foreigners.

 

And why would wealthy, very well dresses people be refused?

[watchcat]

On 2/10/2025 at 10:26 AM, snoop1130 said:

claims from the government that casinos would generate revenue

 

For whom Thaksin and his family?

[Gottfrid]

9 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

You must have missed that they are Thais walking over the border into another country, where they are not locals but foreigners.

 

And why would wealthy, very well dresses people be refused?

Yeah, missed a lot of sarcasm in what you quoted. However, where do they refuse locals to play on casinos?

On the other hand, most of the casinos available are not in neighbouring countries. They are situated between the borders. How many locals do you find there? 😂

[CallumWK]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

However, where do they refuse locals to play on casinos?

 

Cambodia - Macau , I guess Singapore as well