Thais Wants To Limit Access To Cambodian Casinos

[george]

Thailand wants to limit access to Cambodian casinos

SA KAEO: -- Thailand's Ministry of Interior wants to reduce the number of hours that nationals of both countries can cross the Thai-Cambodian border here, mainly because the government wants to control the urge some Thais have to gamble--and lose money-- at the cross-border casinos in nearby Poipet.

Regulating public morals, and possibly an outflow of hard currency, seems the main motivation. Border crossing officials, it is observed, would also have fewer duty hours as well.

Local businesses in Aranyaprathet are giving a 'thumbs down' sign to the Ministry of Interior on the move, however, according to the head of the Sa Kaew Chamber of Commerce.

Currently, the border checkpoint in the key Thai border district of Aranyaprathet is open between 7am to 8pm, which has been implemented by the ministry since November 5, 2003, said Bumrung Lorcharoenwattanachai.

But the ministry plans to return to a former timeframe, which allowed people to cross the border between 7.30am- 5pm, according to Mr. Bumrung.

The change is designed as a deterrant to Thai gamblers to make it less attractive for them to crossing into Poipet, opposite Aranyaprathet, to gamble at casinos there, he said.

But, Mr. Bumrung argues, Thai exports to Cambodia via Aranyaprathet now amount to more than Bt 10 billion a year, over one thousand tourists cross the border every day and Cambodian people spend not less than Bt 10 million daily buying Thai goods on this side of the border -- all of which shows that the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint is significant for trade, exports and tourism.

It is not fair to change and reduce the time just because of gambling in Poi Pet, he adds, suggesting that business would be better if the border remains open for the longer timeframe.

--TNA 2005-09-04

[ovenman]

The change is designed as a deterrant to Thai gamblers to make it less attractive for them to crossing into Poipet, opposite Aranyaprathet, to gamble at casinos there, he said.

Unless you close the border altogether, you are not going to stop day-trippers from going to Poipet to gamble. They'll simply adjust their schedules accordingly. This idea is about as stupid as trying to save petrol by closing the petrol stations overnight.

[johng]

The change is designed as a deterrant to Thai gamblers to make it less attractive for them to crossing into Poipet, opposite Aranyaprathet, to gamble at casinos there, he said.

55555 why don't they just change the law allow gambling, open the casinos in Thailand and be done with it ?????

Such a waste of ( police ) time and resources that would better be spent tackling "real " crime.

[sriracha john]

The change is designed as a deterrant to Thai gamblers to make it less attractive for them to crossing into Poipet, opposite Aranyaprathet, to gamble at casinos there, he said.

Unless you close the border altogether, you are not going to stop day-trippers from going to Poipet to gamble. They'll simply adjust their schedules accordingly. This idea is about as stupid as trying to save petrol by closing the petrol stations overnight.

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A N D.... reducing alcohol consumption by limiting sales in the afternoon hours...

the recurring logic is mind-numbing.

possible repercussions would be even longer lines for those Non-Thais that make visa runs... squirting thru even more people in a shorter amount of time.

I imagine the local SaKaew politicos are quite concerned over any threat to their

"not-chump change" amount of 10 million daily from the Cambodian buyers.