PM views that the punishment for gamblers is not serious enough

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra views that the penalties for gamblers are not severe enough because many casinos are still being established. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI WANNASATHIT (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) indicated that the laws to seize the properties of PHO PRATUNAM (ปอ ประตูน้ำ) gambling venue will have to be considered.

The Prime Minister said that the report of the arrested gamblers at PHO PRATUNAM has not been submitted to him yet. He, however, said that the government has a policy to get rid of casinos and gamblers, and Pol.Gen. CHITCHAI has been assigned to take care of this issue. Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI admitted that there are many casinos in Bangkok which have not been dealt with effectively.

Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI said he has already received the report of the arrest. He said that the implementation will go in line with the gathered evidence and investigation. He added that officers are sifting through the evidence. The evidence has shown that some police may be involved with the casino, and they may take bribes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 Febuary 2006

PM views that the punishment for gamblers is not serious enough

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra views that the penalties for gamblers are not severe enough because many casinos are still being established. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI WANNASATHIT (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) indicated that the laws to seize the properties of PHO PRATUNAM (ปอ ประตูน้ำ) gambling venue will have to be considered.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 Febuary 2006

:D

It is OK to play the 3 cup game with share ownership and the tax dept, but up front gambling is a big no-no.

I suppose that the games with the tax office were not gambling as there was little risk involved.

apparently only the cynical would believe that the puprose of the new laws would be an attempt to discourage competition for the soon to be legislated new casinos being built by the thai company which is flush with cash , and as it continues with its mission to alleviate poverty in thailand.

well , call me cynical......

PM views that the punishment for gamblers is not serious enough

The evidence has shown that some police may be involved with the casino, and they may take bribes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 Febuary 2006

As stated in a previous post......Just clearing the ground for the new Mega casinos soon to be established with "Ample" funds

He He, this is so dodgy!

These casino's will be aimed at thai's not international large stakes players like in Singapore. They will be thai owned and managed which will make them of little interest to the big players.

Singapore know you need help from experts which is why they are bringing in foriegn firms to run them.

This is nothing more than a money spinner for someone, a very big one!

and only cynical would believe that these new casinos will be owned (under whatever legal construction) by our be loved leader.....

and only cynical would believe that this all is just for getting Mr. Toxin more rich.....

apparently only the cynical would believe that the puprose of the new laws would be an attempt to discourage competition for the soon to be legislated new casinos being built by the thai company which is flush with cash , and as it continues with its mission to alleviate poverty in thailand.

well , call me cynical......

Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI says that police taking bribes from casinos has been happened for a long time

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister CHITCHAI WANNASATHIT (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) stated that the incident where police officers are taking bribes from casino venues has been happened for a long time and no countries can eliminate this problem.

Police Inspector-General SERIPHISUT TEMIYAWET (เสรีพิศุทธ์ เตมียาเวส) has also indicated that some police are involved with the illegal gambling business. However, Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI said that he will try to solve this problem gradually.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 Febuary 2006

Hmmm longer sentences for the dice gangs??

I thought gamblers punished themselves.

Loosing all their money is bad enough??

I thought gamblers punished themselves.

Loosing all their money is bad enough??

And facing the loan sharks!

A special team has been set up to crackdown gambling houses

Metropolitan Police Bureau Commissioner Viroj. Chantharangsee (วิโรจน์ จันทรังษี) has ordered for the set up of a special police team to crackdown gambling houses, following the comment made by Royal Thai Police's Inspector-General Seripisut Temiyawet towards the performances of the metropolitan police officers.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Viroj has called for a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Bureau vice commissioners and the Royal Thai Police officers to set up the plans to eliminate gambling dens in their respective areas.

The plans will be established to serve the comments made by General Seripisut after his team has raided on the notorious "Por Prathunam" gambling venue. General Seripisut was unpleased with the performances of the police officers in the areas and thus some of them were transferred.

The meeting has finally set up a special team under the supervision of Vice Commanders Krisada Pankongchuen (กฤษฎา พันธุ์คงชื่น) and Jate Mongkolhasdee (เจตน์ มงคลหัตถี).

Morover, the meeting has set up security measures for the rally planned on the 11th of February where related agencies have been assigned to impose stricter measures especially on weapons and alcoholic beverages.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 Febuary 2006

36 gamblers arrested in Taopoon, in the latest bust of gambling venue by Metropolitan Police

36 gamblers were arrested last night in a gambling venue in Taopoon (เตาปูน) district, in the latest police action on gambling.

A police team with search permit from court surrounded the Taopoon gambling venue in Bangkok late last night and apprehended 36 gamblers along with card playing equipments and 7,100 baht of cash.

Police Major General Kridsada Phankhongcheun (กฤษฎา พันธุ์คงชื่น), the deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police, said the search came according to Metropolitan Police Commander Wiroet Chantharangsi's (วิโรจน์ จันทรังษี) order to have police stringently look after gambling.

The gambling venue raided last night had been inspected by police just a few months ago, but afterwards, it still arranged for gambling activities.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 Febuary 2006

A farang friend of a friend of mine was busted playin some casino game out a Taxi car boot in front of his appartment a few weeks back by some police going past on a motor bike, 20 baht fine per head, then the game continued

PM views that the punishment for gamblers is not serious enough

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra views that the penalties for gamblers are not severe enough because many casinos are still being established. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI WANNASATHIT (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) indicated that the laws to seize the properties of PHO PRATUNAM (ปอ ประตูน้ำ) gambling venue will have to be considered.

The Prime Minister said that the report of the arrested gamblers at PHO PRATUNAM has not been submitted to him yet. He, however, said that the government has a policy to get rid of casinos and gamblers, and Pol.Gen. CHITCHAI has been assigned to take care of this issue. Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI admitted that there are many casinos in Bangkok which have not been dealt with effectively.

Pol. Gen. CHITCHAI said he has already received the report of the arrest. He said that the implementation will go in line with the gathered evidence and investigation. He added that officers are sifting through the evidence. The evidence has shown that some police may be involved with the casino, and they may take bribes.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 February 2006

UPDATE...with conviction and prison sentence

PHO PRATUNAM (ปอ ประตูน้ำ) in 2006

'Por Pratunam' convicted in owning gambling den

The Dusit District Court Monday sentenced Phaichit Thammarojphinij to one and a half year in jail after convicting him in organising a gambling den in Pratunam area.

Phaichit, better known as Por Pratunam, was found guilty in a case in which police raided his building on February 4 and rounded up 262 gamblers.

Chips representing Bt52 million worth of money were seized from the den in the building owned by Phaichit.

- The Nation

Isn't it bizarre that there is a punishment of any kind for gambling?? If people want to gamble thats their business , why should anyone else care ?

36 gamblers and 7100 baht seized. They sure got the big time gamblers.

Gambling is a <deleted>' plague, as bad as drugs if not worse.

I used to run an establishment where many of our customers were known to do drugs (elsewhere) while others gambled (on site). One can only take so much drugs in an evening, a hundred or so bucks,some less, some more, as for the gamblers, there was just no end to it, hundreds, thousands.

Gambling is a <deleted>' plague, as bad as drugs if not worse.

I used to run an establishment where many of our customers were known to do drugs (elsewhere) while others gambled (on site). One can only take so much drugs in an evening, a hundred or so bucks,some less, some more, as for the gamblers, there was just no end to it, hundreds, thousands.

Yes maybe so , but the point is why do you care? its not your business ... its theirs.

Also remember in Thailand much of the gambling is small, a group playing cards for a few baht etc.

Gambling is a <deleted>' plague, as bad as drugs if not worse.

I used to run an establishment where many of our customers were known to do drugs (elsewhere) while others gambled (on site). One can only take so much drugs in an evening, a hundred or so bucks,some less, some more, as for the gamblers, there was just no end to it, hundreds, thousands.

Yes maybe so , but the point is why do you care? its not your business ... its theirs.

Also remember in Thailand much of the gambling is small, a group playing cards for a few baht etc.

It's the rest of society's business and burden when gamblers resort to crime, borrowing, lying, committing suicide, murder, lose life savings and family. Sounds like heavy drug addicts behaviour doesn't it? Drugs are illegal mostly because of their apparent repercussions on society.

There is no such thing as small gambling in a country where the average monthly wage is 6000 baht, people choose their license plate numbers like they would an adopted child, believe in all kinds of far fetched theories, astrologers and snake oil salesmen while they remain in the same shithole their entire lives because of these very same beliefs with false hopes of luck and riches.

It's NOT a small problem. I know several Thai ladies who gamble and it is a SERIOUS disease. They could more easily quit a drug habit than gambling. For those that think it is not a serious problem you are VERY much mistaken. They lose husbands, homes and whatever they can steal to continue gambling.

Gambling is a <deleted>' plague, as bad as drugs if not worse.

I used to run an establishment where many of our customers were known to do drugs (elsewhere) while others gambled (on site). One can only take so much drugs in an evening, a hundred or so bucks,some less, some more, as for the gamblers, there was just no end to it, hundreds, thousands.

Yes maybe so , but the point is why do you care? its not your business ... its theirs.

Also remember in Thailand much of the gambling is small, a group playing cards for a few baht etc.

It's the rest of society's business and burden when gamblers resort to crime, borrowing, lying, committing suicide, murder, lose life savings and family. Sounds like heavy drug addicts behaviour doesn't it? Drugs are illegal mostly because of their apparent repercussions on society.

There is no such thing as small gambling in a country where the average monthly wage is 6000 baht, people choose their license plate numbers like they would an adopted child, believe in all kinds of far fetched theories, astrologers and snake oil salesmen while they remain in the same shithole their entire lives because of these very same beliefs with false hopes of luck and riches.

"There is no such thing as small gambling in a country where the average monthly wage is 6000 baht," My wife an here friends can sit 8 hours and 200 Baht changes the owner. If everyone would loose 10.000 it would not be a big thing for them. You can't forbid everything because a few can't control themself. Ban smoking, drinking, fat food, gambling....etc...

People are adult and don't need a goverment telling them how to spend their own money.