Meeting held to discuss pros and cons of opening up casinos along the border

[Lite Beer]

Meeting held to discuss pros and cons of opening up casinos along the border

Amnatcharoen, 29th October 2013 (NNT) – The Committee on Justice from the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC), has held a meeting to gather opinions on the pros and cons of casino legalization.

The meeting was held at the provincial administration office in Amnatcharoen province, chaired by Sawat Suthi-akarn Vice President of the committee. Mr.Boonyuen Kumhong, Amnatcharoen Vice Governor and heads of government agencies and representatives from related organizations were on hand to welcome the committee and attended the discussions.

A number of scholars, specialists, businessmen, politicians, civil society leaders, and members of the general public also attended the meeting to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the establishment of casinos along the Thai border.

The minutes of the meeting and the information gathered from the discussion will be recorded and compiled into a report for the Committee of Justice to analyze and forward to the NESAC to consider, after which it will be forwarded to the cabinet.

-- NNT 2013-10-29

[Dr Robert]

The only winners in these sort of dens of iniquity are the capital raisers and backers.

As George Washington said of gambling:

"It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief"

Dont do it.

[ratcatcher]

"Meeting held to discuss pros and cons of opening up casinos along the border"

Well, I have no doubt in my mind, that if they open up casinos along the border, all the pros and cons will be there, for sure.

[ratcatcher]

The only winners in these sort of dens of iniquity are the capital raisers and backers.

As George Washington said of gambling:

"It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief"

Dont do it.

Unfortunately what you have in those dens of iniquity is the din of inequity!

[worgeordie]

Why on the boarders ,they will be owned by MPs and other influential people ,and they

will be the only beneficiaries ,as everyone knows the house always wins.

Gambling is right up there with drugs as an evil to corrupt society,no good ever comes

from it

regards Worgeordie

[gemini81]

Well, lots of "pros for con-artists" in the world of Thai politicians (the owners of the ones in Poi Pet etc.- thanks taxpayers!); probably easier to launder money and manage graft over the border there in Cambodia; unless they leave a big paper trial.

Edited October 29, 2013 by gemini81

[ThaidDown]

Ok snouts at the ready, another large trough for us big guys approaching,.... wait for it , no rushing , plenty for all the well connected, and do not forget to leave a (large) space for the boss.

[gl555]

Pros:

Cronies of the PTP and a bunch of border officials are going to get real rich!

Cons:

Who cares?

[Ricardo]

I thought Chiang Mai had dibs, on being the first place to be permitted legal-casinos here, hence all the 5-star empty hotels built about a decade ago ?

And aren't there already several border-region casinos (Golden-Triangle, Ranong & Poipet), along with plenty of illegal inner-city ones, which are curiously missed by the local BiBs on-patrol ?

Wouldn't their current-owners object to any legal competition, it's almost unfair-trading, dash it !

[monkeycountry]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

[monkeycountry]

The only winners in these sort of dens of iniquity are the capital raisers and backers.

As George Washington said of gambling:

"It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief"

Dont do it.

Who is the winner in a bar where people go to drink and have fun? I assume the only financial winner is the bar owner - and perhaps the staff?

Lots of people, especially those who can afford it, go to casinos mainly to have fun, not to win. They know odds are stacked against them, but they do not mind losing as long as they have fun meanwhile. They get excited while playing, kinda like people who gladly pay twice the normal price for a drink in a gogobar, or even rounds of overpriced ladydrinks. The casino and gogobar provides an atmosphere you cannot get by sitting drinking or playing online poker at home - and that comes at a price.

[A1Str8]

I have heard they want more jetset Chinese tourists. So open those casinos and let those loud folks flow in. It's all about money anyway so don't you worry about the cons.

[Lingba]

The Pros...more gov't officials skimming off the top and making their cut.....The Cons...the average Joe losing his shirt in an attempt to get rich quick

[bigbamboo]

Excuse me..... but Thai officials are holding a meeting about establishing casinos when all good Buddhists are supposed to mourning the death of the Supreme Patriarch?

Lucky the Lord Buddha never set foot in Siam.

[wirat69]

I thought that His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, got it right when, to protect the women and children, family life, he banned all gambling in the Kingdom.

[DiamondKing]

WAKE UP PEOPLE Duhhhhh there is also MASSIVE GAMBLING in this country already I was absolutely astonished to find out there were more than 100 Gambling dens in the area I live and even more so when I found out the top cop got nothing from it since his allottment was the chicken and bull fights

Its already RAMPANT here so who cares if they open legal ones at least the poor sods have an option to play in a casino that is legal.

[wileycoyote]

Already too many in the Golden Triangle !

[LuckyLew]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

+1

It has worked in Singapore

Problem is in Thailand too many people would want a piece of the pie

[khunken]

Ironically the most vocal opponents of casinos (after vocal pretend Buddists) are the Thai politicians who own a share in the existing casinos just over the border in Cambodia, Myanmar & Lao, plus the BIB who make a fortune from the hundreds of illegal casinos throughout the country.

If demand is a factor then betting on football results (football pools?) would be the first to be legalised - after the existing lottery & horse racing of course.

[Bluespunk]

"Meeting held to discuss pros and cons of opening up casinos along the border"

I'm sure there'll be plenty of both boys, plenty of both.

[ginjag]

Gambling is illegal in Thailand, (lottery)

Prostitution illegal in Thailand, (Pattaya) and.......

Corruption Illegal in Thailand, (everywhere)

Drugs illegal in Thailand (everywhere)

next,

[JoeThePoster]

opening up casinos

Why not? Every amusement park should have one.

[marell]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

Singapore can make it work better than most, but has experienced a number of gambling related problems.

One in particular are numbers of 'foreign' tourists from the land of 'Zero-fee tours' who produce documentation, open credit lines and have an odd affinity for skipping town without paying up. This is truly unfortunate.

Perhaps Thailand could introduce a 30,000 Baht country entrance fee to help offset potentially unpaid gambling debts.

Edited October 29, 2013 by marell

[lungmi]

Mae Sot has an airport and an international casino.

Don't ask me more.

Forum rules.

[ratcatcher]

opening up casinos

Why not? Every amusement park should have one.

Thailand, may the Lord Buddha bless her, is one huge amusement park. Something for everyone here.

That's why billions of tourists come here and spend trillions of baht.

[razer]

HaHa ... for the expats in Laos and Cambodia making visa runs ... right?

[NeverSure]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

Singapore can make it work better than most, but has experienced a number of gambling related problems.

One in particular are numbers of 'foreign' tourists from the land of 'Zero-fee tours' who produce documentation, open credit lines and have an odd affinity for skipping town without paying up. This is truly unfortunate.

Perhaps Thailand could introduce a 30,000 Baht country entrance fee to help offset potentially unpaid gambling debts.

One large casino in Singapore belongs to an American who also owns casinos in the US including Las Vegas. The way they avoid unpaid bills for the average person is to sell gambling chips. You can't gamble with real money. You have to first go to a window and buy your chips or "tokens" in whatever denominations you want with real money. Then you gamble with their chips, and when finished you cash in if you have any chips left. If you are a winner you will have more chips and therefore more cash than you started with. Most people play until their chips are gone and leave losers. But you can't keep playing when your chips are gone unless you buy more.

They will take credit cards for the chips. Some people get into deep trouble with that.

There are only two good things about Las Vegas. The shows and the food. I used to go there and have a great dinner while I watched Elvis and other greats on the stage, live. I haven't been there for a while because it was more fun when I was younger.

[monkeycountry]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

+1

It has worked in Singapore

Problem is in Thailand too many people would want a piece of the pie

Completely agree

[monkeycountry]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

Singapore can make it work better than most, but has experienced a number of gambling related problems.

One in particular are numbers of 'foreign' tourists from the land of 'Zero-fee tours' who produce documentation, open credit lines and have an odd affinity for skipping town without paying up. This is truly unfortunate.

Perhaps Thailand could introduce a 30,000 Baht country entrance fee to help offset potentially unpaid gambling debts.

Never heard of this, but if I understand you correct. Foreigners gamble at the casinos on credit and run from the bill?

Solution: Let people pay for their chips up front - I thought that was the case anyway, except for a few high rollers. If you can't afford to pay up front, then you probably cannot afford to gamble either, and should not be allowed into the casino in the first place! If the casino decides to give anyone credit, then it is the casinos own problem if they do not pay. It is not like a hospital where you cannot really turn away people without money.

And yes, some moronic Thai official will most likely propose such an idea if even a single foreigner manage to get away without paying. As someone else already said, the main problem with casinos in Thailand are Thai officials.

[monkeycountry]

It is quite simple. Do as Singapore. Open up casinos, but let only foreigners get in without a "license". As for Thai customers, charge them a substantial amount to gain access. Singapore charges 100 SGD = 2,500 baht / visit. Or have some government office issue a "gambling licence" for Thais who can prove they have plenty of means to gamble and are not in danger of losing their house and/or family. Similar to the retirement visa financial requirements for foreigners in Thailand.

This would ensure plenty of jobs and revenue for Thailand. It will ensure redistribution of wealth from rich thais who gamble, as their losses will end as taxable casino profits. And it will prevent social problems for poor gambling addicted Thais, as they are not allowed inside the casinos. Basically a win/win for everyone.

Singapore can make it work better than most, but has experienced a number of gambling related problems.

One in particular are numbers of 'foreign' tourists from the land of 'Zero-fee tours' who produce documentation, open credit lines and have an odd affinity for skipping town without paying up. This is truly unfortunate.

Perhaps Thailand could introduce a 30,000 Baht country entrance fee to help offset potentially unpaid gambling debts.

One large casino in Singapore belongs to an American who also owns casinos in the US including Las Vegas. The way they avoid unpaid bills for the average person is to sell gambling chips. You can't gamble with real money. You have to first go to a window and buy your chips or "tokens" in whatever denominations you want with real money. Then you gamble with their chips, and when finished you cash in if you have any chips left. If you are a winner you will have more chips and therefore more cash than you started with. Most people play until their chips are gone and leave losers. But you can't keep playing when your chips are gone unless you buy more.

They will take credit cards for the chips. Some people get into deep trouble with that.

There are only two good things about Las Vegas. The shows and the food. I used to go there and have a great dinner while I watched Elvis and other greats on the stage, live. I haven't been there for a while because it was more fun when I was younger.

As far as I know all major legal casinos in the world use prepaid chips, not cash. Not only Singapore and Las Vegas, but Macau as well.