A general said to be behind push for Thai casino

[webfact]

A general said to be behind push for casino
Prapasri Osathanon,
Jessada Jantharak
The Nation

Top brass is also 'offering rewards to those who lobby for a gambling venue'

BANGKOK: -- A POWERFUL general has been spearheading the push for opening a casino in Thailand, National Reform Council (NRC) member Sira Jenjaka said yesterday.

He said he had also heard that this general had promised to reward NRC members who rally for the casino with a post at the soon-to-be-established national reform steering council. The general has also allegedly promised pro-casino NRC members up to Bt10 billion to establish a new political party if the casino does indeed materialise.

"Since the NRC members' term will expire in two months, some of them now care just about their own interests. They are obviously ignoring the country's problems by pushing for the casino," he said.

Sira did not identify the general by name.

Major Anan Vajarodaya, NRC member, who supports the casino idea, dismissed as groundless any suggestion that his group was offered rewards to push for the launch of a casino.

"I don't know why someone would raise such an accusation," he said. He also expressed concern that such accusations would make the authorities reluctant to consider the casino proposal.

Anan said he and his group would continue to propose the launch of a casino in Thailand.

"We will present our proposal to the government next month," he said.

Sira attacked not just some of his fellow NRC members but also other supporters of the casino idea, such as well-known monk Phra Payom Kalayano and General Somyot Poompanmoung, the national police chief.

"Gambling is a vice. So instead of giving people access to casinos, why don't we explain to them why gambling is bad?" he asked.

He even suggested that a disciplinary probe be launched against Somyot.

The national police chief, however, remained defiant, saying he was ready to sign a petition proposing legal amendments to pave the way for opening an entertainment complex that includes a casino.

"I am not an economics expert, but I don't want to see Thais flocking overseas to play in casinos," he said.

As for calls for him to be removed from his post as national police chief, Somyot countered by saying he was doing nothing wrong by voicing support for opening a casino.

"All I've done is express my opinion. As a policeman, I will still take action against gambling for as long as it violates Thai law," he said.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said a casino would have both pros and cons.

"I can tell you that Thai tourism can blossom even without a casino, as foreigners visit for our arts and culture," she said, adding that she did not think having a casino would significantly boost the number of foreign visitors.

Kobkarn also said that Thailand has been one of the most popular destinations in the world and ranks 10th in terms of visitor numbers.

Surachai Liengboonlertchai, vice president of the National Legislative Assembly, reckoned that the casino issue was a sensitive one.

"Casinos are not acceptable in Thai society, so we have to study all relevant factors before deciding to go ahead with it," he said.

He added that the assembly would have to conduct careful studies if it is asked to amend existing legislation to facilitate the opening of a casino.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/A-general-said-to-be-behind-push-for-casino-30262967.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-24

[canuckamuck]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

[Somtamnication]

Rice?

[NongKhaiKid]

Wouldn't this be totally against all the core values etc of a certain retired general ?

If this is in any way true he must be very sure of himself unless there's a lot going on in the shadows.

[PatOngo]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

He's obviously concerned for the quality of life of the people...........happiness.

[ezzra]

If I was to read that a group of garbage collectors, you know, those guys with their

bicycle air pump horn, are behind the move to legalize casinos, I'd fall off my chair,

but a general? not the slightest surprise, this is what generals do in Thailand,

did you see a Thai general leads a group of soldiers on the attack? NO, they sit

home/office and plot how to get rich...

[tx22cb]

The Generals are starting to feel that the Army are missing out on the trough.

The Navy guys had their Aircraft Carrier, and will be getting their submarines.

The Air Force can always get more supersonic jets at any time, and maybe smart bombs in the future. Plus, they have a stranglehold on Thai International affairs.

But the Army ..... they got caught out with the GT200 fake bomb detectors, tanks are not very useful, mines are so passe, and mere rifles are not pricy enough. So the Generals have to come up with some other mega scheme - today it's casinos (with the police).

[Toknarok]

The military have got their fingers into all sorts of non military pies, hotels, golf courses etc so why not throw in a couple of casinos?

[BigBadGeordie]

Not much help as to the identity of the "General" in the OP, but given the number of Generals, both active and retired, in Thailand I think this individual will take some finding. But then again put General Somyat on the case, given the RTP track record, and we may have a result in...........................................

Ahh, GENERAL Sonyat, hmm, perish the thought.

[MB1]

If I was to read that a group of garbage collectors, you know, those guys with their

bicycle air pump horn, are behind the move to legalize casinos, I'd fall off my chair,

but a general? not the slightest surprise, this is what generals do in Thailand,

did you see a Thai general leads a group of soldiers on the attack? NO, they sit

home/office and plot how to get rich...

It;s all about trying to legalise a piece of the pie they already have their hand in, better to be legalised than illegal hey........You just got to love Thailand, things get rough and people start to realise that the top brass are corrupt, so the already corrupt make moves to legalise their illegal buisness and get a bigger piece of the pie...I just love it....

When the Chinese get wind of casinos in Thailand how many people think that more Chinese people will visit Thailand, I'd hazard a guess that many more would visit Thailand' also from Malaysia and Singapore ETC....

Edited June 24, 2015 by MB1

[arrowsdawdle]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

He doesn't need a reason. A general in this situation is merely a proxy.

[canuckamuck]

I seem to remember there was a former policeman who was said to have used his position in government to acquire wealth. What a rascal he must have been.

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

No matter now the PM talks about cleaning up the corruption, it seems impossible.

[MB1]

I seem to remember there was a former policeman who was said to have used his position in government to acquire wealth. What a rascal he must have been.

So do many of us but PLEASE lets not make all topics/threads a Thaskin topic...It's been too long now.....

[BigBadGeordie]

I seem to remember there was a former policeman who was said to have used his position in government to acquire wealth. What a rascal he must have been.

So do many of us but PLEASE lets not make all topics/threads a Thaskin topic...It's been too long now.....

Don't see any mention of Thaksin in canucks post, but you made the assumption it was about him and you were the first one to directly mention him in this thread. ;-) ;-)

[SOTIRIOS]

...the national focus...retirement with a disproportionate payout...

[Oziex1]

If I was to read that a group of garbage collectors, you know, those guys with their

bicycle air pump horn, are behind the move to legalize casinos, I'd fall off my chair,

but a general? not the slightest surprise, this is what generals do in Thailand,

did you see a Thai general leads a group of soldiers on the attack? NO, they sit

home/office and plot how to get rich...

And now that he is rich he would like to clean the ill gotten..

Cue Casino.

[robblok]

Just make an amendment that only the state can own casino's and only the state can exploit them. No private casino's. That would take the wind out the sails for all those that only want to make money from it and then only those who really want it will campaign for it because there is nothing to win. Its so simple.

[h90]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

Thailand looses huge amounts of money by Thai people going in casinos on the border and in Macau. So it is part of national security.

But more probable he want to get a license to open a casino when he is retired which isn't something illegal...

[robblok]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

Thailand looses huge amounts of money by Thai people going in casinos on the border and in Macau. So it is part of national security.

But more probable he want to get a license to open a casino when he is retired which isn't something illegal...

That is the whole point.. make sure that all casino's are state run and you don't have this problem. Also if its state run there is more oversight because easing of the rules wont make anyone rich.

[Bernard Flint]

Again, the rats are coming out of their holes for food

[Oziex1]

"Top brass is also 'offering rewards to those who lobby for a gambling venue"

Who exactly are they expected to lobby to, if those who call the shots already want the damn thing to go ahead.

[harrry]

Just make an amendment that only the state can own casino's and only the state can exploit them. No private casino's. That would take the wind out the sails for all those that only want to make money from it and then only those who really want it will campaign for it because there is nothing to win. Its so simple.

What a great idea...spend all the money and do all the hard work and once the state gets it running well after great expense sell it Tax free to an entity in SIngapore.

[Reigntax]

How on earth can they regulate a casino when they cannot even control the lotteries.

[mikemac]

................"A POWERFUL general has been spearheading the push for opening a casino in Thailand"........................

I would tell you what I think about this but you would only say I was "general bashing"...........

cough cough money cough cough !

[jackanapes]

you cant keep sweeping gambling under the carpet everyone knows it exists in Thailand get it out into the open a casino would generate income money that could be used for education and child welfare .

[maidee]

thai buddist principals are dead anyway since long in this country

thy shall not kill, rape, steal, long what your neighbor has, or his wife

[robblok]

Just make an amendment that only the state can own casino's and only the state can exploit them. No private casino's. That would take the wind out the sails for all those that only want to make money from it and then only those who really want it will campaign for it because there is nothing to win. Its so simple.

What a great idea...spend all the money and do all the hard work and once the state gets it running well after great expense sell it Tax free to an entity in SIngapore.

That is Thaksin style.

[chainarong]

If this is correct , would the General concerned like to step up and explain why all of a sudden Thailand needs a Casino and please tell everybody of its advantages , remaining faceless and in (NKK ) shadows one could be forgiven that a corrupt Administration is in power and we wouldn't like to think that General would we.

[Anthony5]

Why on earth would a general be interested in a casino? It has nothing to do with national security. I just can't figure this out.

Not much soldier stuff going on at a casino. What could be the motivation???

Thailand looses huge amounts of money by Thai people going in casinos on the border and in Macau. So it is part of national security.

But more probable he want to get a license to open a casino when he is retired which isn't something illegal...

That is the whole point.. make sure that all casino's are state run and you don't have this problem. Also if its state run there is more oversight because easing of the rules wont make anyone rich.

You may have noticed that the generals are the government.