Senators Slam Pheu Thai's Gambling Gambit Based on Thaksin's Vision

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

A battalion of nearly 200 former senators has started a full-on offensive against Pheu Thai's audacious plan to usher in casinos and online gambling across Thailand.

 

Led by prominent names like Manoonkrit Roopkhachorn, Thiradej Meepian, and Pornpet Wichitchonchai, these ex-lawmakers are calling for an immediate halt to this bold legislative push.

 

They've delivered a starkly worded statement to House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, cautioning that these proposals, if brought to life, could spell doom for the nation.

 

This stern statement, from 189 former lawmakers, states unequivocally that the coalition government ought to backtrack on what they brand as “catastrophic” legislation.

 

They've made it clear that they believe casinos, positioned as enticing tourist traps, will bring more harm than good, spreading socio-economic blight rather than wealth throughout the land.

 

 

 

These statements challenge the prevailing idea that casinos equate to riches, pointing to regional neighbours like the Philippines and Myanmar, which are not miraculously transformed into economic powerhouses despite their gambling dens.

 

The former senators warn that legalization would invite a menagerie of criminal activities. They predict a spike in transnational crimes, such as call centre scams, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, which they believe will be fuelled by a gambling economy.

 

They argue that the promise of prosperity is a mirage, failing to translate to real economic growth or benefit the everyday lives of Thai nationals. Though specific figures are cited, they see the risks as vastly outweighing any potential gains.

 

Based on a story by Thai Newsroom
 

-- 2025-04-04

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A battalion of nearly 200 former senators has started a full-on offensive against Pheu Thai's audacious plan to usher in casinos and online gambling across Thailand.

 

Can we please put these guys back in power?

[BritScot]

Didn't the Generals want to do this and started the process? The Pheu Thai are just running with the idea. Let us not pretend the Army and The police are running illegal casino's in Thailand already and hidden away in most villages are little mom and pop gambling dens hidden but under police protection! There is illegal gambling all over Thailand,  let's make it legal!

[DaddyWarbucks]

Thaksin first proposed legal casinos as PM in 2005.

His ouster the following year ended those plans.

Three subsequent governments led by his proxies - Samak Sundaravej; his sister Yingluck; and Shretta Thavsin, all during their time in power reintroduced the plan under the guise of "entertainment complexes" without success. 

Thaksin's Jan. 13th initiative is the latest attempt.