Thai police chief unperturbed by negative poll results against legalizing casinos

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Police chief unperturbed by negative poll results against legalizing casinos



BANGKOK: -- Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang has brushed aside all the opinion polls which show most people are against legalizing casinos, saying the polls represent the minority of the people.

The national police chief insisted on Monday that it is about time for Thailand to have legally-established casinos in order that the gambling money should go into the state’s coffers instead of getting out of the country.

The money earned from legal gambling should go to help the poor, said the police chief, adding that he didn’t think legalizing casinos would encourage more people to gamble “because those who love gambling will go on gambling while those who do not will not gamble even if a casino is open in front of his house.”

Pol Gen Somyot said he was not worried with the poll results which are all negative toward legalizing casinos. He maintained that the disadvantages from legalizing casinos can be mitigated with proper regulation and management.

He suggested all the pollsters to ask the opinions of the farmers about how they think about legalizing casinos if some of the revenues earned would be used to help them.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-chief-unperturbed-by-negative-poll-results-against-legalizing-casinos


-- Thai PBS 2015-06-22

[Bluespunk]

"Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang has brushed aside all the opinion polls which show most people are against legalizing casinos, saying the polls represent the minority of the people."

Whereas he obviously represents the majority.

Yeah, right.......

Edited June 22, 2015 by Bluespunk

[NickJ]

Why would a Policeman even have a say in the matter. Or why does he even think he has a say........Disgusting.

[canopus1969]

May I apologies to everyone - my taxes help to pay for Civil Servants like this

[seajae]

have to wonder if he has any personal interest tied up in this, why is he so adamant that we need casinos, maybe his retirement fund is tied to it........

[dageurreotype]

58% against, according to Bangkok University's poll alone, is hardly a minority. The preposterous and distasteful 'we'll only let rich people in' is absurd, given the lax law enforcement here.

What is this man up to? What's his real agenda? National Police Chief under military Junta rule proposes legalising casinos as part of National Deform Reform

[SABloke]

''...adding that he didn’t think legalizing casinos would encourage more people to gamble “because those who love gambling will go on gambling while those who do not will not gamble even if a casino is open in front of his house.” ''

I never thought I'd say this about a membef of the top brass, but I agree. This is exactly one of the reasons drugs should be legalised (and I'm NOT a drug user).

[GarryP]

Actually I believe he makes sense in a strange way. When they were going to issue shares in Chang on the Thai Stock Exchange, the anti-alcohol, purer than though lot, came out and were up in arms, marching hither and thither making as much noise as possible and when they discussed amending the licensing hours to something more appropriate for a tourist destination, the same group were out throwing their hissy fits. It just seems that the do-gooders (live your life as I tell you lot) are better organized than the I-couldn't-give-a-shit majority. And I do believe that the majority really could not care less.

[bangkokfrog]

We all know what they say about statistics, and I for one don't believe any survey results in this country, even from the big universities - too many conflicts of interest. I am sure that those behind the polls that say "no" have their own agendas, as does the national police chief. But do any of them have the interest of the country at heart?

[realenglish1]

Who did the Polling

Countries that have allowed gaming have not had the problems that where fortold. Crime Prositution etc etc. Thailand already has crime and as for prostitution ( no comment required0

I am for a casino for 2 reasons More taxes that will benefit many and it will bring the underground money into the sunlight

[Eric Loh]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

[dageurreotype]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

This from Wikipedia 'In 1923, gambling was briefly legalized in the then-British colony of Singapore, but the experiment led to gambling addiction and increased crime, and gambling was criminalised again within three years.^[5]'

And the article in it's entirety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_resort from which you will see Lee

legalised some areas for Casinos against massive public opposition, so Prayut/Somyot won't give a rat's

anyway. Why? Again, 'Reforms' Pfft.

Those posters for any extension of endemic and destructive gambling practices here really should get out

more. Or perhaps they're missing their flutter on the gee gees at Ladbrokes of a morning

[ezzra]

He knows what he's talking about folks... after all he's the boss of the biggest casino in the

country called the police force and his men are the croupiers in his casino... his house

always win....

[Baerboxer]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

I was talking with some senior Singapore businessmen last week and mentioned about this. They believed, purely from a business and economic view, Thailand would take considerable business away from other countries by having casinos. They said this would hurt Singapore and benefit Thailand.

A different question is why we have a chief of police, an extremely wealthy one at that, about to retire who suddenly decides he should campaign for legalized gambling and casinos. Who were the owners of those illegal casinos that were shut down? They were never identified and prosecuted.

He can't or actually won't make a decision when it is his job but is happy to decree how things should be that suits his agenda. Must be going into politics. PTP's next minister of justice 555

[Oziex1]

Who did the Polling

Countries that have allowed gaming have not had the problems that where fortold. Crime Prositution etc etc. Thailand already has crime and as for prostitution ( no comment required0

I am for a casino for 2 reasons More taxes that will benefit many and it will bring the underground money into the sunlight

Do the taxes collected in Thailand benefit the masses? I see a country with poor roads, crumbling and ineffective infrastructure everywhere.

I have a feeling more money will go underground, or black money will come out whiter than white as the laundry detergent ads say, why else would a top cop be so interested in legal Casinos

[alphaflight]

Could they make it anymore obvious as to where the funds will be flowing. If you thought corruption was bad now; this will add an entirely new realm to the problem.

The police in most countries have way too much power. In Thailand the amount of power awarded to the police is mind boggling.......

[manarak]

58% against, according to Bangkok University's poll alone, is hardly a minority. The preposterous and distasteful 'we'll only let rich people in' is absurd, given the lax law enforcement here.

What is this man up to? What's his real agenda? National Police Chief under military Junta rule proposes legalising casinos as part of National Deform Reform

it really depends if the poll was administred to a representative specimen of Thai voters. no way to tell...

[donmuang37]

"He suggested all the pollsters to ask the opinions of the farmers about how they think about legalizing casinos if some of the revenues earned would be used to help them."

Does anyone in their right mind believe the farmers will benefit from even 1 satang?? Let's get real here. Perhaps some ulterior motive? Oh, not possible in Thailand.

[Eric Loh]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

This from Wikipedia 'In 1923, gambling was briefly legalized in the then-British colony of Singapore, but the experiment led to gambling addiction and increased crime, and gambling was criminalised again within three years.^[5]'

And the article in it's entirety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_resort from which you will see Lee

legalised some areas for Casinos against massive public opposition, so Prayut/Somyot won't give a rat's

anyway. Why? Again, 'Reforms' Pfft.

Those posters for any extension of endemic and destructive gambling practices here really should get out

more. Or perhaps they're missing their flutter on the gee gees at Ladbrokes of a morning

You really should read from more current statistic like the recent Survey on Gambling participation that revealed only 14.7% of Singaporean visited casinos frequently. Also a survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) that shown little changes in problem gambling pre and post casino.

[alocacoc]

There is no democracy. So Who cares about a poll?

[Eric Loh]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

I was talking with some senior Singapore businessmen last week and mentioned about this. They believed, purely from a business and economic view, Thailand would take considerable business away from other countries by having casinos. They said this would hurt Singapore and benefit Thailand.

A different question is why we have a chief of police, an extremely wealthy one at that, about to retire who suddenly decides he should campaign for legalized gambling and casinos. Who were the owners of those illegal casinos that were shut down? They were never identified and prosecuted.

He can't or actually won't make a decision when it is his job but is happy to decree how things should be that suits his agenda. Must be going into politics. PTP's next minister of justice 555

Not only direct casino businesses but the indirect like MICE etc and tourists which jumped substantially after the casino started operation. Singapore simply can't compete with Thailand offering a variety of attractions.

We know no one even the self professed good people will lobby such enormous undertaking without getting some kind of reward. Thainess.

[GarryP]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

This from Wikipedia 'In 1923, gambling was briefly legalized in the then-British colony of Singapore, but the experiment led to gambling addiction and increased crime, and gambling was criminalised again within three years.^[5]'

And the article in it's entirety https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_resort from which you will see Lee

legalised some areas for Casinos against massive public opposition, so Prayut/Somyot won't give a rat's

anyway. Why? Again, 'Reforms' Pfft.

Those posters for any extension of endemic and destructive gambling practices here really should get out

more. Or perhaps they're missing their flutter on the gee gees at Ladbrokes of a morning

As long as people can gamble in Thailand, those that want to do so will, illegal or not. I personally know people who have been, and some still are, deeply in debt because of their gambling habits. That is now, here in Thailand, without legal casinos. They did not gamble anywhere else. All done locally. Some on cards and Hi-Lo, others on Premier League betting and others on the underground lottery. If they are going to screw themselves they are going to do it anyway.So why not make it legal and take a cut for the country.

Next you will be criminalizing the sale of alcohol because of the damage it causes to those who can't control their intake of the devil's brew, and totally banning cigarettes. It won't stop drinking and smoking you know! Where does it all stop? People need to be made responsible for their own actions and behaviour. Stop treating the people as if they can't think for themselves.

I posit it is you who needs to get out more.

[dcutman]

Could they make it anymore obvious as to where the funds will be flowing. If you thought corruption was bad now; this will add an entirely new realm to the problem.

The police in most countries have way too much power. In Thailand the amount of power awarded to the police is mind boggling.......

These casino's are not gonna be in rows of shop houses like GO GO bars. We are talking about billion(s) dollar gambling complexes. Most likely a big Vegas outfit.

I kind of doubt some cop is gonna come rollin up on his scooter looking for some extortion money at one of these casino's.

[chainarong]

Possibly most are not unperturbed by the Police Chief either, pity more effort isn't placed on corruption within the RPT, instead of creating more avenues for more.

[smutcakes]

For decades the dirty money from Pattaya has gone up to very high places in BKK, and I am sure this is just an extension of this....

Perhaps this has all been agreed in advance in return for cooperation when the inevitable event happens soon.

[kaorop]

Could they make it anymore obvious as to where the funds will be flowing. If you thought corruption was bad now; this will add an entirely new realm to the problem.

The police in most countries have way too much power. In Thailand the amount of power awarded to the police is mind boggling.......

These casino's are not gonna be in rows of shop houses like GO GO bars. We are talking about billion(s) dollar gambling complexes. Most likely a big Vegas outfit.

I kind of doubt some cop is gonna come rollin up on his scooter looking for some extortion money at one of these casino's.

Well obviously, as an ex cop will be getting driven out of the place in his bently full of the nights takings.

But can you imagine how it will run, roulette wheels suddenly stopping, slot machines electrocuting people, chips breaking in half.

[Tomtomtom69]

If we play the game of odd man out, then Thailand will be left standing when all the neighbouring countries have casinos. Even straight-laced Singaporean of all religion and social activists were against the casino project in the early stage but have softened their stance now after seeing the amount of tax revenues and the strict rule enforcement. Who would have thought that Muslim majority Malaysia will have the first casino in this region. Now Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines will have their casinos. It is not a matter of will it happen but rather when. PM Lee took his bold step in 2004 in producing a concept paper and rest is history. Will Prayuth have the fortitude to do the same? I think so as the monetary rewards are just to big to be ignored.

Vietnam and Cambodia already have casinos and they plan to build more.

[dcutman]

Could they make it anymore obvious as to where the funds will be flowing. If you thought corruption was bad now; this will add an entirely new realm to the problem.

The police in most countries have way too much power. In Thailand the amount of power awarded to the police is mind boggling.......

These casino's are not gonna be in rows of shop houses like GO GO bars. We are talking about billion(s) dollar gambling complexes. Most likely a big Vegas outfit.

I kind of doubt some cop is gonna come rollin up on his scooter looking for some extortion money at one of these casino's.

Well obviously, as an ex cop will be getting driven out of the place in his bently full of the nights takings.

But can you imagine how it will run, roulette wheels suddenly stopping, slot machines electrocuting people, chips breaking in half.

If a Wynn, Sands or MGM, witch most likely will be one of these, builds a casino here none of those things will be happening.

If there is extortion money to be paid, it will be to the "very high" ups and done in the most convert way possible, and not done here in Thailand.

[alphaflight]

Could they make it anymore obvious as to where the funds will be flowing. If you thought corruption was bad now; this will add an entirely new realm to the problem.

The police in most countries have way too much power. In Thailand the amount of power awarded to the police is mind boggling.......

These casino's are not gonna be in rows of shop houses like GO GO bars. We are talking about billion(s) dollar gambling complexes. Most likely a big Vegas outfit.

I kind of doubt some cop is gonna come rollin up on his scooter looking for some extortion money at one of these casino's.

I kind of doubt it as well. What I would imagine is a large % going into the police fund, and other top government outfits. Perhaps top brass officials walking though the back door with suitcases. I'm sure the farmers and low class will receive their usual meager handout to keep them quiet and subdued; just as the chief was sure to point out in justifying, and selling his case.

Of course it will be used to benefit the less fortunate, as Thailand is way to poor presently to take care of them.....

Edited June 22, 2015 by alphaflight

[Emster23]

Forget what public thinks. Just think of the money we, er Thailand can rake in.... plus easier to use for money laundering than temples. Good karma all around!