Thai editorial: A gamble we must WEIGH CAREFULLY

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EDITORIAL
A gamble we must WEIGH CAREFULLY

LEGALISING CASINOS CARRIES GREAT RISKS AS WELL AS BENEFITS

BANGKOK: -- Several members of the National Reform Council (NRC) have proposed that casinos be legalised in a bid to increase state revenues. They argue that the huge amount of money Thai gamblers currently stake in foreign casinos could be kept in the country.

However, the proposal was shelved after NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana said the council had no time to consider it in the two months left to complete its work.

Thienchay also dismissed reports that the proposal was an NRC resolution, saying the council had not been asked to consider the idea and it merely reflected the personal opinion of some members.

Advocacy for legalising casinos in Thailand has been around for ages. Among its latest champions is NRC member Boonlert Kachayudhadej, who said the move would mean Thai gamblers could indulge their habit within the country, thereby boosting the national coffers via taxes on casinos.

Fellow member Anan Vatcharotai said the number of large casinos in neighbouring countries was set to rise from 22 to at least 30 in the next three to four years. He estimated that about 80 per cent of gamblers in casinos just across the border were Thais. "Legalising casinos would help prevent a lot of money from draining out of the country," said Anan.

While the proposal undoubtedly has merit, the pros and cons of legalising casinos in Thailand must be carefully weighed up

before we make a decision either way.

Thailand's neighbours - Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore - all have casinos, and they attract a lot of Thai gamblers.

And, despite the ban on casinos in Thailand, it's no secret that many are operating here under the noses of law enforcers, who tolerate their presence in return for regular bribes. Legalising casinos would certainly result in lost income for both the illicit dens and corrupt law enforcers all over the country. As such, there is resistance to the move.

For policy-makers, it is certainly a difficult decision, which is why previous administrations have always shelved proposals for legalising casinos.

While many citizens support the idea, others point to the possible negative impact on younger people and other vulnerable groups in society. The opponents point out that legalising casinos risks encouraging addiction to gambling among youngsters and those on low incomes.

If the policy-makers do opt for legalisation, they should ensure that stringent measures are in place to prevent potential victims from having easy access to casinos. Rules on the minimum age of people allowed to enter casinos must be enforced properly. And adults who wish to gamble must produce written proof that they have the financial means to do so.

The government must be decisive on this issue in deciding which option is best for the nation as a whole.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/A-gamble-we-must-WEIGH-CAREFULLY-30262559.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-18

[ChrisY1]

In yesterday' news....someone sitting on a throne told reporters that there will not be any legalised casinos.......??

Whatever...Thailand is not mature enough to have legal, commercial casinos......

[ezzra]

"bid to increase state revenues. They argue that the huge amount of money Thai gamblers currently stake in foreign casinos could be kept in the country...."

So what they're saying is, let's us fleece our own citizens, why only foreigners enjoy this privilege?

Also, since when tow wrongs make it right? one wrong when people lose money in casinos

and the second wrong, the Thai government want a piece or all of it....

If it wasn't for past governments throwing zillions away on a hare brain schemes and

pissing it to the wind for result other the being a populist move, Thailand would have

trillions in it reserves by now.....

[FireMedic]

Imagine if they legalized gambling, drugs, and prostitution at the same time. Enforcers would go broke overnight leaving millions of unemployed mia nois and giks.

[Toknarok]

Whenever I do a visa run to Cambodia I'm amazed at the queues of Thais who just can't wait to give their money to the Cambodians. The amount of money spent in these casinos must be enormous. Cambodians themselves are not allowed to gamble in them so the monies generated must come from foreigners i.e. Thais and Vietnamese.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/10/casinos-cambodia

[bangkokfrog]

Whenever I do a visa run to Cambodia I'm amazed at the queues of Thais who just can't wait to give their money to the Cambodians. The amount of money spent in these casinos must be enormous. Cambodians themselves are not allowed to gamble in them so the monies generated must come from foreigners i.e. Thais and Vietnamese.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/10/casinos-cambodia

I think you will find that among the real owners of these establishments (as opposed to those on paper) there will be many prominent Thai individuals... which may why local casinos have been so aggressively opposed.

[sanuk711]

"bid to increase state revenues. They argue that the huge amount of money Thai gamblers currently stake in foreign casinos could be kept in the country...."

So what they're saying is, let's us fleece our own citizens, why only foreigners enjoy this privilege?

Also, since when tow wrongs make it right? one wrong when people lose money in casinos

and the second wrong, the Thai government want a piece or all of it....

If it wasn't for past governments throwing zillions away on a hare brain schemes and

pissing it to the wind for result other the being a populist move, Thailand would have

trillions in it reserves by now.....

You obviously come from a country that treats its citizens with respect & doesn't have any casinos operating----

As your so critical of Thailand growing up & legalizing what is already going on---maybe you would like to name that country for us as a shinning example....................

[Toknarok]

Whenever I do a visa run to Cambodia I'm amazed at the queues of Thais who just can't wait to give their money to the Cambodians. The amount of money spent in these casinos must be enormous. Cambodians themselves are not allowed to gamble in them so the monies generated must come from foreigners i.e. Thais and Vietnamese.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/10/casinos-cambodia

I think you will find that among the real owners of these establishments (as opposed to those on paper) there will be many prominent Thai individuals... which may why local casinos have been so aggressively opposed.

I'm sure you're right there. When Thaksin closed the border after the Cambodians burnt the Thai embassy and bank in Phnom Phen it was the casinos that paid the 40 million dollars Thaksin demanded for repairs before he would re-open the border. The Cambodian Government didn't have that sort of cash on hand.

[Orac]

Imagine if they legalized gambling, drugs, and prostitution at the same time. Enforcers would go broke overnight leaving millions of unemployed mia nois and giks.

They still would have the 'do not say anything bad about anyone' law to keep them all busy.

[Jimlove]

Holy mother, what buffet a Casino would be to BiB for collecting from both Winners and losers but gambling is already going on with the infamous "Lottery" .... another way to rob the poor

[toybits]

I believe most people know they are so opposed to gambling legalization. And is not for moral erosion or something like that.

[Eric Loh]

"bid to increase state revenues. They argue that the huge amount of money Thai gamblers currently stake in foreign casinos could be kept in the country...."

So what they're saying is, let's us fleece our own citizens, why only foreigners enjoy this privilege?

Also, since when tow wrongs make it right? one wrong when people lose money in casinos

and the second wrong, the Thai government want a piece or all of it....

If it wasn't for past governments throwing zillions away on a hare brain schemes and

pissing it to the wind for result other the being a populist move, Thailand would have

trillions in it reserves by now.....

Thailand does have trillions in reserves. In fact almost 5 trillions. Read bit more before spouting nonsense.

[roger101]

In yesterday' news....someone sitting on a throne told reporters that there will not be any legalised casinos.......??

Whatever...Thailand is not mature enough to have legal, commercial casinos......

But it's mature enogh to have loads of illegal casinos.