PM Yingluck Denies Casino And Entertainment Complex Plan

[webfact]

PM denies casino and entertainment complex plan

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday said her government had not planned to legalise gambling, paving way for the construction of casino and entertainment complex.

“I have no idea about the casino proposal as I just heard about it for the first time,” she said, answering a reporter’s question.

Yingluck said she did not instruct or discuss about raising the state revenues through the gaming business.

She also said she would need time to review the proposal before she could make any further comments.

The Government Lottery Office on Tuesday held a press conference to disclose its proposal to amend the lottery law in order to legalise the gaming business.

The GLO claimed it had the backing of the Finance Ministry to operate the casino and entertainment complex in order to increase state revenues.

The investment outlay is estimated at Bt10 billion and the casino development is slated to take place in the remote and barren area such as Thung Kula Rong Hai in the Northeast.

-- The Nation 2011-09-28

[Boater]

ah , didnt her brother want to do this as well? ,

IMHO, it would be a great step forward for thailand, as everyone gambles anyone, so to legalize it and tax it would be logical, just like singapore did

[ratcatcher]

"The investment outlay is estimated at Bt10 billion and the casino development is slated to take place in the remote and barren area such as Thung Kula Rong Hai in the Northeast."

Sounds like an intelligent place to build it, miles from anywhere? Perhaps the farmers can gamble their rice stocks or land?

[uptheos]

Sounds like an intelligent place to build it, miles from anywhere? Perhaps the farmers can gamble their rice stocks or land?

Maybe they are following the Las Vegas model?

Airstrip, lots of flights domestic and from China etc.

Who knows Thai logic?

Hmm that means they would need to know the history of Las Vegas and where it is.........maybe that's not their idea.

Edited September 28, 2011 by uptheos

[Boater]

"The investment outlay is estimated at Bt10 billion and the casino development is slated to take place in the remote and barren area such as Thung Kula Rong Hai in the Northeast."

Sounds like an intelligent place to build it, miles from anywhere? Perhaps the farmers can gamble their rice stocks or land?

maybe they will call the casino ' Paddy Power '

[Sharp]

“I have no idea about the casino proposal as I just heard about it for the first time,” she said Submarines errrr helicopters errrrrrr Arsenal ha haClueless

[webfact]

PM Denies Casino Plan

The prime minister insists her government still has no policy to revive the planned establishment of a casino complex in the Northeast at the suggestion of the lottery office's chief.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawtra said she has not received details about the proposed establishment of a casino and entertainment complex in Thung Kula Ronghai, a large plateau in the Northeast

The idea was floated during the Thaksin administration and is now being revived by Director of the Government Lottery Office Wanchai Surakul.

He said a Las Vegas-style entertainment complex could serve as an additional revenue source for the government.

Yingluck said the casino complex plan is not among the government's urgent policies and said a feasibility study must be conducted before moving head with the proposal.

She insisted the push for the proposal must seek approval from the public first while maintaining the government still places its priorities on resolving the current flood crisis and economic hardships facing the people.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he did not agree with the proposed casino establishment and asked the government, particularly the Finance Ministry, to show details and its stance over the matter.

Abhisit stated if the project moves ahead, it will contradict the government's vow to crack down on all gambling dens nationwide.

He said the present law needs to be amended to give way for the establishment of a casino complex as it is still termed an illegal business.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-28

[bristolgeoff]

they should have put them in years ago.how many thai,s go too poi pet cambodia everyday.unless the brother is pulling the strings for her to what too say to the people

Edited September 28, 2011 by bristolgeoff

[rubl]

“I have no idea about the casino proposal as I just heard about it for the first time,” she said, answering a reporter’s question.

Yingluck said she did not instruct or discuss about raising the state revenues through the gaming business.

She also said she would need time to review the proposal before she could make any further comments.

a wee bit later

The prime minister insists her government still has no policy to revive the planned establishment of a casino complex in the Northeast at the suggestion of the lottery office's chief.

Yingluck said the casino complex plan is not among the government's urgent policies and said a feasibility study must be conducted before moving head with the proposal.

So basicly "no idea", "didn't instruct", "need time", "no policy" and finally "not amongst the urgent policies".

Far be it from me to suggest she's lying, but the alternative might be even worse for a PM

Edited September 28, 2011 by rubl

[PETDCAT]

Gee why to I get the feeling that some family somewhere has probably been busy buying up land in the last few years to lease back to the Government for a project such as this? I would not be surprised if they also have a construction company that could provide construction services as well as a management company that could manage such businesses. Of course they would not be profitable for some time.Or should I say for all time. What a cash cow. Bugsy Siegel would be proud.

[RogueExpat]

Gee why to I get the feeling that some family somewhere has probably been busy buying up land in the last few years to lease back to the Government for a project such as this? I would not be surprised if they also have a construction company that could provide construction services as well as a management company that could manage such businesses. Of course they would not be profitable for some time.Or should I say for all time. What a cash cow. Bugsy Siegel would be proud.

Three gold stars! Go straight to the top of the class.

[DP25]

ah , didnt her brother want to do this as well? ,

IMHO, it would be a great step forward for thailand, as everyone gambles anyone, so to legalize it and tax it would be logical, just like singapore did

If it's like Singapore they will also only allow foreigners inside unless they buy a special pass. A Singapore citizen has to pay to enter the casino, $80 per day or $1600 per year. Casinos also are not allowed to extend credit to Singaporeans, only foreigners. This is to prevent poor Singaporeans from being ruined.

However I'd expect this government to not do this as it would prevent them from exploiting poor Thais for their personal financial gain.

[finnomick1]

I bet she does........

[animatic]

Lets replace theft by yabaa addicts with theft by gambling addicts.

Just trading one addiction that can never be legalized for one they can.

The influential persons are making good money with the border casinos,

in cahoots with their neighbors. But more money's to be made

not having to share with the neighbors.

And threatening to pull that cash cow out of Hun Sen's sticky little fingers, is one more lever to pull for the oil deal coming up.

I was just through the Andaman Club on that Myanmar island,

boat load of Thais with happy faces going over.

More subdued ones on the return trip...

Edited September 28, 2011 by animatic

[Crushdepth]

Like we don't have casinos and (ahem) "entertainment complexes" already.

[hellodolly]

ah , didnt her brother want to do this as well? ,

IMHO, it would be a great step forward for thailand, as everyone gambles anyone, so to legalize it and tax it would be logical, just like singapore did

If it's like Singapore they will also only allow foreigners inside unless they buy a special pass. A Singapore citizen has to pay to enter the casino, $80 per day or $1600 per year. Casinos also are not allowed to extend credit to Singaporeans, only foreigners. This is to prevent poor Singaporeans from being ruined.

However I'd expect this government to not do this as it would prevent them from exploiting poor Thais for their personal financial gain.

They should allow the Thai's in. That way they will have a place to spend the big raise the government is getting for them.

I believe her her government however her brothers government already has plans drawn up. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have a blue print for the casino already.

[Ricardo]

Surely the new casino was supposed to be located in Chiang Mai, not in Isaan, and that's why several 5-star hotel were built there, several years back ? Those hotels do have a few problems filling rooms these days, so it would be a kindness to the distressed hotel-owners, to permit the new attraction to open-up ? Better late than never !

[Colabamumbai]

She prefers Thais losing their money to casinos in Cambodia, as opposed to them loosing their money to the Thai Government.

[bigbamboo]

Why would the Thai government want to build a casino? Most Thais are Buddhists and they don't gamble as we all know. Who could possibly benefit from this enterprise?

[Colabamumbai]

And very many Thais gamble their money away at illegal casinos in your soi everyday. And the police take their cut. How long have you lived in Thailand?

Edited September 28, 2011 by Colabamumbai

[Colabamumbai]

Why would the Thai government want to build a casino? Most Thais are Buddhists and they don't gamble as we all know. Who could possibly benefit from this enterprise?

Why do governments worldwide build casinos....It is an obvoius source of income...Da! Do you think the gamblers win? Why do governments run lotteries? Do you think it is to lose money to the populace??? or to make money for themselves???

[pedro01]

ah , didnt her brother want to do this as well? ,

IMHO, it would be a great step forward for thailand, as everyone gambles anyone, so to legalize it and tax it would be logical, just like singapore did

Well - that would be if people actually paid tax...

[surangw]

She prefers Thais losing their money to casinos in Cambodia, as opposed to them loosing their money to the Thai Government.

casinos in Cambodia extend credit to some thais, and have "collection" personnel in Bkk to collect

[finnomick1]

"The investment outlay is estimated at Bt10 billion and the casino development is slated to take place in the remote and barren area such as Thung Kula Rong Hai in the Northeast."

Sounds like an intelligent place to build it, miles from anywhere? Perhaps the farmers can gamble their rice stocks or land?

......or run up debts using their new credit cards maybe

[finnomick1]

.....and spare a thought for all those V.I.P. bus operators,drivers, highway patrol cars and policemen who regularly defy all traffic laws and endanger all other road users to speed eager punters across the border to cambodia's casinos. They'd all have to find something else to do.

[webfact]

Democrat Party Leader Against Casino

The leader of the Democrat Party has expressed opposition to the construction of Thailand's first legal casino, and questions the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand about the extenuation of red-shirts who committed crimes, asking the commission to ponder the rule of law and justice.

Democrat Party Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was interviewed as a former prime minister and a former ASEAN chairman before leaving for the Philippines to give a speech at the 100 Leadership ASEAN.

He said he disagrees with setting up a casino in Thailand and asked the government to consider both the benefits and the drawbacks.

He added that the government needs to clarify the situation for the public, since setting up a legal casino would conflict with the government's policy of cracking down on illegal gambling dens, as does dismissing Police General Wichien Potjphosri and replacing him with Police General Priewpan Damapong as national police chief.

Furthermore, Abhisit mentioned the extenuation of red-shirts who caused organized crimes and asked for a 10-million baht compensation for the loss of red-shirt families, saying the Truth and Reconciliation Committee should consider precisely its legitimacy based on the law.

He went on to say that even though he agrees with its principles, there is still a concern about the impartiality of the committee, which he will closely examine.

-- Tan Network 2011-09-29

[Buchholz]

ah , didnt her brother want to do this as well? ,

Tirelessly...

a small sampling...

Thaksin Revives Gamble On Casinos

Thai Group Vows To Fight Off Casinos

Safeguards Warning On Casino Plan

[elgato]

"The investment outlay is estimated at Bt10 billion and the casino development is slated to take place in the remote and barren area such as Thung Kula Rong Hai in the Northeast."

Sounds like an intelligent place to build it, miles from anywhere? Perhaps the farmers can gamble their rice stocks or land?

......or run up debts using their new credit cards maybe

The new credit card scam was cancelled in the nick of time.