Casinos in Thailand: PM Prayut breaks silence with 'no'

[little mary sunshine]

Support for Casino Gambling is ridiculous ..look at Atlantic

City, a ghetto, crime rate in LV skyrocketed due to gambling

And drugs. The same idiots that can't control their drinking

Won't be able to control their gambling either, more children

And families will lose out on basic food and housing, while

The FAT CAT OWNERS AND GAMBLING MAFIA GET

AWAY WITH MILLIONS TAX FREE.

[fareastguy]

Once again freedom of speech has been taken away.

This is not about freedom of speech... it's all about a time and a place...

This is clearly lower down the agenda of things to do !!!!

Edited June 25, 2015 by fareastguy

[mancub]

You having a laugh aint ya. It will take years for them to have the confidence to whip out a pack of playing cards, 2 small boxes of Do's (domino) and nearest to the wall. I can see it now. All the Thai people opening up, Sod the lose face crack, i going for a flutter. flaunting their Queen of Diamonds, Thinking ''I cant believe im doing this''

Na not a chance! It will always be 24 hours at Gungs house, gamble 20 baht a pop. That game that takes so long you just say <deleted> to it im off! and 24 hours later someones 100 baht up.

More like 20 baht a hand, which lasts just seconds, and before they know it they're pawning the jewellery and losing the (or hubby's) car and lodging the chanote to the money lender.

Nice image of Gung's place though, reminded me of my dear old mother and her pals playing whist for a penny a point !

[mango66]

Very Good ! Gen. Prayut !!

Yes Thailand and the Gvt have really more important things to be solved than talk about casinos !

Casinos could be, when thailand solved corruption,

Now just corrupt figures like Casinos to white-wash their illegal money !!

[Nobb]

Great move Khun PM!

[little mary sunshine]

I play cards twice, sometimes three times a month

With my golfing friends...Never lost more than B30

During the night, never won more than B40 During

The game. We play for fun!!! I won last week!!!

[Reigntax]

There will be no legal casinos in Thailand. The illegal ones controlled by the military and police don't want the competition.

[MW72]

Call me cynical but I reckon the PM is playing at populism. He has only broken his silence because the opinion polls are showing that the population are against casinos otherwise he could have killed this story days ago.

[kblaze]

Support for Casino Gambling is ridiculous ..look at Atlantic

City, a ghetto, crime rate in LV skyrocketed due to gambling

And drugs. The same idiots that can't control their drinking

Won't be able to control their gambling either, more children

And families will lose out on basic food and housing, while

The FAT CAT OWNERS AND GAMBLING MAFIA GET

AWAY WITH MILLIONS TAX FREE.

Hogwash. You have no sources to back up what you say. No data. Just primitive beliefs.

Have a read. A real academic study on the issue.

http://zimmer.fresnostate.edu/~haralds/Gaming/EffectofCasinoGamblingonCrime.pdf

"Using the crime rates based upon the population at risk, three communities had many more crimes that significantly increased than decreased, three other communities had many more crimes that significantly decreased than increased, and one community had few significant changes in either direction"

"....few significant differences were found comparing pre- and post-casino crime."

"...it appears that the effect of casino gambling on jurisdictions is variable and may be dependent on local conditions not easily generalizable from community to community"

[HerbalEd]

A great example of when No means Yes!

You actually have evidence of this? Please share.

[JonnyF]

No reason not to have a casino in Thailand IMO.

Plenty of other countries have casinos without falling apart. It would be good for tourism, get rid of the illegal dens and money lenders, make taxable income, provide jobs etc.

If people don't like them, you don't have to go. I like them and would enjoy a visit 3-4 times a year for a night out and a bet (as long as they didn't have some poorly disguised "foreigner only" entrance fee/charge of course).

[Benmart]

Once again freedom of speech has been taken away.

That statement is a load of crap.

Please elaborate with substance and not with course and incisive wording.

[tx22cb]

Within 5 years, Thailand will be building a casino/leisure complex.

Otherwise the foreign investment will just go to Vietnam, and Thailand will have missed the boat.

[bangon04]

Such stupid comments here, with little to no experience with the "Casino Debate."

Bossier City, Louisiana (google it and look at the casinos on Red River & Shreveport, Louisiana)

My Blessed Departed Parents Were Totally Opposed.

Then ... they watched as the FIVE (5) Riverboats on Red River brought many good jobs, and huge tax dollars

to a very poor state, with horrible education. I was totally educated in Bossier City -- always ranked at the bottom

of USA states pertaining to education.

+ The Casinos employed many of my friends and current friends - good paying jobs with benefits.

+ The Casinos report monthly revenues and tax dollars -- in full-page ads in local newspapers. My Father loved seeing those.

+ Casinos in New Orleans have helped fix many problems in south Louisiana.

+ Most (not all) illegal gambling was eradicated.

+ Brought huge tax dollars, fixing roads, Texas Street Bridge, and finally getting computers into the local schools.

+ Casinos set-up extensive "Gambling Help Facilities" for those with gambling addictions, most of them already addicted prior to the boats. Finally -- those with gambling addictions could get professional help. The State of Louisiana made the casinos put extensive programs in place to help those with problems.

+ The long-time "Mafia Elements" of corrupt Louisiana politics (remember the Long and Edwards family governing - all crooks) were sent packing, and Edwin Edwards went to jail finally.

I was there.

I watched it during high school and college at LA. Tech University.

Most of you are just "speculating" ... with no actual casino experience. Just thoughtless opinions.

Continue to make un-informed comments.

Maybe some day ... you'll open your narrow mind to another world.

A Bright world.

With Possibilities.

I always thought that the Mob built up Las Vegas and places like it, and then Las Vegas outgrew the Mob to become "legit" big business.....

[nithisa78]

I was sure yes. After further thought, not so sure. I really like poker and I'm good. The elder caddies and smarter soldiers taught me. Very expensive lessons also.

Maybe just to ban Thai people like they do in Bahama (and it works) isn't enough. In GBI, the Bahamians can work there, but unless they're with someone like me, don't even enter the Casinos. They've been gamble there since they were a colony. GBI has tourist industry and little else. Decent people too.

My normal rule of thumb is accept the wisdom of government. No I don't always like or agree with it, bit it usually works. Even in what looks like a tragedy of mistakes. Romans 13.

[nithisa78]

Only PRIMITIVE BELIEF IS THAT CASINO GAMBLING

WILL BE GOOD FOE THAILAND, AND THE GAMBLING

MAFIA WON'T MAKE OFF WITH MILLIONS OF BAHT

TAX FREE. YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF

THE SAND!!

If the gambling mafia (which I've yet to meet any loud mouth who even knows what mafia means) makes off with the money, it must be theirs.

You can't take something from someone when it actually belongs to them.

Read something besides TV. It will help. I know real good book if you're interested. It takes the edge right off pathological control issues.

Have a nice day, girl scout. Go bake some cookies maybe that will help. Have heard tell there is an incredient in the cookies, great help with the arogant and angry.

bye bye

[Bernard Flint]

Avery good idea not to open casinos, too many already gambling in some bars and online.

[bamukloy]

they will continue to go too the borders and gamble by the thousands.the illegal casino will keep popping up,the thais love to gamble that is no secret.having legal casinos you can control the thai baht leaving the country and provide jobs here

the point being, the rich can afford to travel and gamble, let them keep going to the borders.

Having a local casino in BKK will only result in those that cant afford it being hopelessly addicted and more social problems being lumped on society.

I will wager you a bet, if any casino does ever open here, it will go to the highest bidder.

It was a ridiculous proposal from the start,seeing how household debt in Thailand is reportedly at serious levels

Edited June 25, 2015 by bamukloy

[bamukloy]

Such stupid comments here, with little to no experience with the "Casino Debate."

Bossier City, Louisiana (google it and look at the casinos on Red River & Shreveport, Louisiana)

My Blessed Departed Parents Were Totally Opposed.

Then ... they watched as the FIVE (5) Riverboats on Red River brought many good jobs, and huge tax dollars

to a very poor state, with horrible education. I was totally educated in Bossier City -- always ranked at the bottom

of USA states pertaining to education.

+ The Casinos employed many of my friends and current friends - good paying jobs with benefits.

+ The Casinos report monthly revenues and tax dollars -- in full-page ads in local newspapers. My Father loved seeing those.

+ Casinos in New Orleans have helped fix many problems in south Louisiana.

+ Most (not all) illegal gambling was eradicated.

+ Brought huge tax dollars, fixing roads, Texas Street Bridge, and finally getting computers into the local schools.

+ Casinos set-up extensive "Gambling Help Facilities" for those with gambling addictions, most of them already addicted prior to the boats. Finally -- those with gambling addictions could get professional help. The State of Louisiana made the casinos put extensive programs in place to help those with problems.

+ The long-time "Mafia Elements" of corrupt Louisiana politics (remember the Long and Edwards family governing - all crooks) were sent packing, and Edwin Edwards went to jail finally.

I was there.

I watched it during high school and college at LA. Tech University.

Most of you are just "speculating" ... with no actual casino experience. Just thoughtless opinions.

Continue to make un-informed comments.

Maybe some day ... you'll open your narrow mind to another world.

A Bright world.

With Possibilities.

Great, yet another "In America..." post.

And what makes you think the benefits that a regulated country gets from casinos will also happen here?

Im sure you know, in Thailand ALL the benefits get shuffled back to either the pollies, the corrupt powers and the already rich.

Yes, Casinos in our countries do benefit society and they sometimes sponsor and donate to certain causes, but seriously can you see that happen here?

Society will gain nothing from a casino here, as usual, everything will end up in the grubby paws of a few rich families

[wabothai]

Such stupid comments here, with little to no experience with the "Casino Debate."

Bossier City, Louisiana (google it and look at the casinos on Red River & Shreveport, Louisiana)

My Blessed Departed Parents Were Totally Opposed.

Then ... they watched as the FIVE (5) Riverboats on Red River brought many good jobs, and huge tax dollars

to a very poor state, with horrible education. I was totally educated in Bossier City -- always ranked at the bottom

of USA states pertaining to education.

+ The Casinos employed many of my friends and current friends - good paying jobs with benefits.

+ The Casinos report monthly revenues and tax dollars -- in full-page ads in local newspapers. My Father loved seeing those.

+ Casinos in New Orleans have helped fix many problems in south Louisiana.

+ Most (not all) illegal gambling was eradicated.

+ Brought huge tax dollars, fixing roads, Texas Street Bridge, and finally getting computers into the local schools.

+ Casinos set-up extensive "Gambling Help Facilities" for those with gambling addictions, most of them already addicted prior to the boats. Finally -- those with gambling addictions could get professional help. The State of Louisiana made the casinos put extensive programs in place to help those with problems.

+ The long-time "Mafia Elements" of corrupt Louisiana politics (remember the Long and Edwards family governing - all crooks) were sent packing, and Edwin Edwards went to jail finally.

I was there.

I watched it during high school and college at LA. Tech University.

Most of you are just "speculating" ... with no actual casino experience. Just thoughtless opinions.

Continue to make un-informed comments.

Maybe some day ... you'll open your narrow mind to another world.

A Bright world.

With Possibilities.

right, unfortunately the corruption and violance will have no borders when casinos are allowed.

Besides when there is money to be spent on gambling there is money to go the borders and spend a few nights in a hotel.

Gambling is a sickness.

[Guest]

Call me cynical but I reckon the PM is playing at populism. He has only broken his silence because the opinion polls are showing that the population are against casinos otherwise he could have killed this story days ago.

That is not cynical, that is good old common sense.

Funny, here is a "dictator' listening to the majority and acting in their interests, while in the west, and as an example .. not looking for a long debate .. most Americans wish gun controls were more responsible ... but no one does a thing.

[Guest]

The world's shortest list:

Good things that come from excessive drinking and gambling.

[Ulic]

While I do think it is the right decision I understand it is a complicated one with

social costs and benefits. Perhaps opening up Thai casinos on the borders

were Cambodian casinos are located so Thais do not have to leave the country.

But keep them out of Bangkok. Maybe in tourist areas, Phuket, Pattaya, Chang Mai?

I don't know. The underground gambling dens run by the police and other connected

people would take a hit, but I can't help but think it is the same connected individuals

that will be granted the licenses for legal casinos. I am not a gambler so it would not

effect me. I see casinos as a race to the bottom. Nothing created, just piles of entertainment

money shifted around. Atlantic City dead as more casinos open up closer to New York.

Las Vegas while still a gambling center is now more an entertainment city with great shows.

With so many Indian Casinos opening up closer to where people live gamblers do not

have to travel far to spend there money. If you are getting the Chinese gamblers in from

Hong Kong, the mainland or Singapore, great that is money coming into the country. But

gamblers from Thailand are just shifting there entertainment dollars from one part of the

economy to another. So the casino owners win but maybe Tiffany type shows, restaurants

and three day vacation areas loose. Of course the gambling addicts always lose.

[Jai Dee]

A couple of posts containing all (or the majority) of the wording in capital letters have been removed from this thread.

From the Forum Rules:

Forum Netiquette

1. Please do not post in all capital letters, bold, unusual fonts, sizes or colors. It can be difficult to read.

[Pheat123]

Such stupid comments here, with little to no experience with the "Casino Debate."

Bossier City, Louisiana (google it and look at the casinos on Red River & Shreveport, Louisiana)

My Blessed Departed Parents Were Totally Opposed.

Then ... they watched as the FIVE (5) Riverboats on Red River brought many good jobs, and huge tax dollars

to a very poor state, with horrible education. I was totally educated in Bossier City -- always ranked at the bottom

of USA states pertaining to education.

+ The Casinos employed many of my friends and current friends - good paying jobs with benefits.

+ The Casinos report monthly revenues and tax dollars -- in full-page ads in local newspapers. My Father loved seeing those.

+ Casinos in New Orleans have helped fix many problems in south Louisiana.

+ Most (not all) illegal gambling was eradicated.

+ Brought huge tax dollars, fixing roads, Texas Street Bridge, and finally getting computers into the local schools.

+ Casinos set-up extensive "Gambling Help Facilities" for those with gambling addictions, most of them already addicted prior to the boats. Finally -- those with gambling addictions could get professional help. The State of Louisiana made the casinos put extensive programs in place to help those with problems.

+ The long-time "Mafia Elements" of corrupt Louisiana politics (remember the Long and Edwards family governing - all crooks) were sent packing, and Edwin Edwards went to jail finally.

I was there.

I watched it during high school and college at LA. Tech University.

Most of you are just "speculating" ... with no actual casino experience. Just thoughtless opinions.

Continue to make un-informed comments.

Maybe some day ... you'll open your narrow mind to another world.

A Bright world.

With Possibilities.

Totaly disagree

Casinos are the devils work

Casinos make the poor more poor

[TheKnave]

They say that in the land of the blinds, a one eyed man is a king.... good on you PM,

good call, Thailand can't afford it self a casino, as so many things can go wrong with

such establishment, and the con out weigh the pro....

Although perfectly innocent, this is one post I would delete immediately. Seriously.

[newnative]

If the general is being quoted correctly, I don't think he completely slammed the door shut. After all, he did say "legalization of casinos will take time". If he was totally opposed, wouldn't he have said, legalization of casinos will never, ever happen? And, then he went on to say that the decision on casino legislation would not be based on opinion surveys. Good idea--sometimes you need to do things that may be initially unpopular.

[maanoi]

The only thing I agree with general whats his name is that there are more important issues currently facing thailand....like curruption, law enforcement, the violence in southern thailand etc etc....

[LuckyNo4]

Casinos take money from the poor and uneducated. It's the right decision.

Exactly. Prayut has consistently made the correct decisions for Thailand and I remain a big supporter.

I love that he told the General promoting this bullshit to shutup. Under previous administration this would have been fast tracked so that the politicians could start filling their pockets ASAP.

I put casinos for Thailand in the same category as nuclear reactors for Thailand.

Under previous administration this would have been fast tracked so that the politicians could start filling their pockets ASAP

So why wasnt it? or are you just talking nonsense.

[freedom4life]

they will continue to go too the borders and gamble by the thousands.the illegal casino will keep popping up,the thais love to gamble that is no secret.having legal casinos you can control the thai baht leaving the country and provide jobs here

Sir/Madame....Jobs? At what cost to what devastation it will bring socially and economically to people/families in Thailand? Maybe you don't care? I do.