Two influential groups back Thai casino plan

[webfact]

'Two influential groups back casino plan'
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- Two groups of influential business and political persons are standing behind police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung's push for the legalisation of casinos, a former Special Branch police officer said yesterday.

Pol Lt-Colonel Santhana Prayoonrat said the first group included Bunchai Kasemwilas, Yaowalak Chaisiriphaibool and National Reform Council (NRC) member Major Anan Watcharothai, and the second was led by a prominent politician, whom he referred to as "sir". Both groups have been making preparations for the operation of casinos, including developing property in key tourist destinations, he said.

"The casino issue is a win-win situation for both groups, as it will be lucrative for them if the proposal goes ahead, or the government could face a downfall if the proposal is dropped," he said, without elaborating.

In a phone call with this prominent politician, Santhana said he was told to leave Bunchai alone as "he took care of me [the prominent politician] when I went to Hong Kong".

"I had to heed his words after 'sir' told me so," he said, without explaining how "sir" and Bunchai were linked.

Earlier, Somyot said he and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had together compiled a public statement shooting down the casino proposal on Wednesday.

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, meanwhile, called on NRC member Sira Jenjakha to back up his allegation that a military general had received Bt10 billion to secure an NRC seat and establish a new political party in exchange for legislation on legalising casinos.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Two-influential-groups-back-casino-plan-30263152.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-26

[bamukloy]

Hmm wonder where the 10 billion came from?

[CiaranO]

Good to see the Nla member is acting like w regular corrupt politician.

[NongKhaiKid]

The national police chief was ordered to keep quiet about supporting the idea but with retirement in a couple of months it may point to why he and some of his merry men are keen on the idea.

[davehowden]

"Earlier, Somyot said he and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had together compiled a public statement shooting down the casino proposal on Wednesday."

So they guy who first proposed the idea publicly is now helping Mr P to say "No"?

Confused??

[Chang_paarp]

These supporters of casinos wouldn't happen to have fitted out venues and trained staff ready to roll when the law changes would they?

[thesetat2013]

It would seem those 2 supporters already know this law will pass since they have already obtained and are developing properties in tourist destinations. I am certain they would not be investing to do this if they did not feel sure the bill would pass. The gov should investigate all of them to see if something is amiss

[ezzra]

For many, a casino is the ultimate pot of gold, where by, if they get a part of it, it would lead

to endless stream of money, mostly tainted kind, and for that they'll be willing to go to the

extreme, for the rest of the Thai people, it will spell a ruin and heartbreak,

By legalizing casinos the Thai government will be the enablers and facilitators or many poor

people fast road to even deeper poverty and debts than what they're already in, while the

fat cows that has pushed for the casino to be will only get richer,,...

[Yunla]

This article speaks of "two influential groups" and the key word there is "influential." A much larger group is called "poor working families" and they are not influential at all. And this is the group in nations worldwide that governments have the solemn duty to protect. Gambling is for people who can afford to lose money, or for rare extremely bright people who can play-to-win effectively. But gambling, just like alcohol, appeals to all social strata. Casinos are not in the business of turning away spenders, regardless of the spenders' home life with spouse and children living on the absolute poverty line.

I have friends who have lost their home, job, wife and kids, and finally their health, all because of gambling addiction. When they'd finished selling all the furniture and children's toys, they started borrowing money from loan sharks. Now they are living alone, working a far worse job than the one they lost, and trying to keep up repayments to the loan gangsters who visit every week. This is not even an unusual situation, it can only be expected, when these neon candystores promise instant lucky wealth to working people who often lack sufficient education. Many people just keep trying for that lucky dream win, while all their actual real-life dreams die around them.

I'm sure many of the recovering gambling-addicts, debt-prisoners, and families of dead gamblers, would all say this publicly too, but their group is just not "influential" enough.

[oneday]

Of course groups that stand to reap huge benefits (money) from legalizing casinos would back this proposal. What a stupid headline.

The better headline would read... "Two Groups Stand to Make a Killing if Casinos are Legalized".

[Tatsujin]

wow, the lies and corruption go deep on this one ... it even has an "influential politician" who has to be called "sir" (I'm pretty sure I know who that is) ... and "a military general had received Bt10 billion to secure an NRC seat and establish a new political party in exchange for legislation on legalising casinos" ... gotta love how these guys can all lie with a straight face and smile whilst < deleted > you over and telling you it's in your best interests.

[Artisi]

Of course groups that stand to reap huge benefits (money) from legalizing casinos would back this proposal. What a stupid headline.

The better headline would read... "Two Groups Stand to Make a Killing if Casinos are Legalized".

And even more killing if outstanding debts aren't paid.

[chainarong]

What Thailand doesn't need is Casino's operated by Thai's, Singapore , Macau, OZ seemed to mange on outside investment like Golden Sands or the Packer lead group Crown or Mr Ho from HK, you need very experienced personal and management , it is doubtful Thailand owned Casino's would meet any credible audit except for lining their pockets and Thailand's reputation as corrupt wouldn't attract the high flyers and actually at the moment the high flyers are all AWOL as the words economy's are keeping them closer to home.

[Chang_paarp]

What Thailand doesn't need is Casino's operated by Thai's, Singapore , Macau, OZ seemed to mange on outside investment like Golden Sands or the Packer lead group Crown or Mr Ho from HK, you need very experienced personal and management , it is doubtful Thailand owned Casino's would meet any credible audit except for lining their pockets and Thailand's reputation as corrupt wouldn't attract the high flyers and actually at the moment the high flyers are all AWOL as the words economy's are keeping them closer to home.

Oz pretty much only has local owned casinos, in case you missed the memo. Crown which has casinos several countries is controlled by the Packer family is Australian. The other casinos are controlled Australian companies even if the expertise is from other parts of the world. They, along with many others in the industry, run a professional operation.

[sammygood]

the governement is not trusting it own people ?

illegal gambling has been going once since ... ?

but a legal system is bad ?

mhhhh, who profits from this ill situation ?

[rametindallas]

Hmm wonder where the 10 billion came from?

Who do people go to Hong Kong to meet to get special favors and also has Bt. 10 billion to spare? Answer that and you answered your own question. I'll give you a hint: his official residence is in a sandy place.

.

[Anthony5]

Why bare the two pictures he holds up are mug shots?

[rametindallas]

the governement is not trusting it own people ?

illegal gambling has been going once since ... ?

but a legal system is bad ?

mhhhh, who profits from this ill situation ?

Right now the casinos benefit many mafia and many police who get a cut to look the other way. This group wants all the money from gambling to flow into their pockets; they want a state-approved monopoly.

.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

I wonder if this prominent politician "Sir" had to meet in HK because he isn't allowed in Thailand? Maybe he is stuck in the desert somewhere? Didn't make enough from the rice scheme? Have to try another way to get every last baht from the Thai people? Needs to set up a new political party? Makes you say hmmmmm?

[Oziex1]

For many, a casino is the ultimate pot of gold, where by, if they get a part of it, it would lead

to endless stream of money, mostly tainted kind, and for that they'll be willing to go to the

extreme, for the rest of the Thai people, it will spell a ruin and heartbreak,

By legalizing casinos the Thai government will be the enablers and facilitators or many poor

people fast road to even deeper poverty and debts than what they're already in, while the

fat cows that has pushed for the casino to be will only get richer,,...

And all they have to do is spread the word around the villages of Issan, of the big winners and the numbers that won.

They will flock.

Edited June 26, 2015 by Oziex1

[Oziex1]

"Two influential group[s back casino plan"

So an idea floated by the top cop is now a plan with backing from rich crooks.

Is the PM still saying no or are they "assisting" him with a new response.

[shirtless]

If they allow casinos i can see the car and house industry in free fall if it isnt already Thais can not budget they have zero idea of how to hold on to money,

[CantSpell]

So 2 mug shots pictures...

2 influential groups pushing for Casino after Mr P said no...

Vested interests as the projects have already been started even with a law forbidding casinos....

An influential prominent politician refereed only as "Sir"....

A General which only join the NRC to push his and his "Friends" corrupt project................

Queue the music: "Dallas!!!! tadadada dadaa dadaa!!"

--------------------

Whoo, some serious attitude adjustment needed in higher circles.....

Or did Mr P actually meant yes when he said no?

[LannaGuy]

This article speaks of "two influential groups" and the key word there is "influential." A much larger group is called "poor working families" and they are not influential at all. And this is the group in nations worldwide that governments have the solemn duty to protect. Gambling is for people who can afford to lose money, or for rare extremely bright people who can play-to-win effectively. But gambling, just like alcohol, appeals to all social strata. Casinos are not in the business of turning away spenders, regardless of the spenders' home life with spouse and children living on the absolute poverty line.

I have friends who have lost their home, job, wife and kids, and finally their health, all because of gambling addiction. When they'd finished selling all the furniture and children's toys, they started borrowing money from loan sharks. Now they are living alone, working a far worse job than the one they lost, and trying to keep up repayments to the loan gangsters who visit every week. This is not even an unusual situation, it can only be expected, when these neon candystores promise instant lucky wealth to working people who often lack sufficient education. Many people just keep trying for that lucky dream win, while all their actual real-life dreams die around them.

I'm sure many of the recovering gambling-addicts, debt-prisoners, and families of dead gamblers, would all say this publicly too, but their group is just not "influential" enough.

whilst I agree with the zest of this post I would proffer that a regulated and tightly controlled casino would reduce such wretched debt that is a consequence of illegal gambling dens run by crooks

legalize it, control it, regulate it

[Sviss Geez]

Why bare the two pictures he holds up are mug shots?

They're not mugshots in the sense that you are suggesting, they are ID card photos.

[Smokemachine]

The Greeds coming out again. Always the same and will never change. Good luck LOS

[Yunla]

whilst I agree with the zest of this post I would proffer that a regulated and tightly controlled casino would reduce such wretched debt that is a consequence of illegal gambling dens run by crooks

legalize it, control it, regulate it

I agree on certain levels, on the control especially. If there are to be legal casinos, they do need some real controls. I have also suggested that all casinos should have a sign in the lobby, clearly visible, with "Gambling Issues? - Contact This TEL / E-mail To Join Gambler Support Group." The support groups should be open all year round, paid for by taxing the casinos collectively, and offer advice and counselling. The main aim of these signs would be to publicly say that "it is not shameful to have your problem, you do not lose face by admitting you have this problem, it is actually normal to have this problem, but you can always talk to friendly people who will help you solve the problem before it is too late." Face and image are so important out here, they would need to provide counselling support while simultaneously promoting this counselling as perfectly healthy and normal, which of course it is.

One of my main issues with adding legal casinos is precisely because of the sleazy criminal dens you are referring to. Many normal people would normally avoid these places because the dens are criminal and sleazy. If big shiny legal casinos arrive, a lot of law-abiding people who currently just buy some Lotto tickets, will think "oh these casinos are legal and clean, fun and nice places to be in" and this might encourage them to start gambling, when in the past they had been discouraged by the unpleasant criminal dens. People are drawn to glamorous shiny casinos like moths to candles. I worry that by making it all above-board and official, this will actually just draw in a wider group of people.

[Docno]

A few people here seem to be suggesting that "sir" is Thaksin, the guy who is also responsible for global warming, ebola, the Euro crisis, and Russia's invasion of the Ukraine. If that is so, I'm not sure what all the drama would be around naming him - after all, he did name even an army officer on the NRC. And I'm not sure it makes much sense to call Thaksin 'a politician' given how long he's been technically out of politics ... 'businessman' would be more appropriate now. There could be all sorts of other individuals more deserving of the label, politician, who this guy would have something to fear from if explicitly named. Believe it or not, Thaksin may not be the root of all evil...

[stoffel45]

These supporters of casinos wouldn't happen to have fitted out venues and trained staff ready to roll when the law changes would they?

I hope you are not referring to the Peach centre in Pattaya....or the Gems World building.....

It's amazing how many very large and greatly under used buildings there are .....

[bamukloy]

This article speaks of "two influential groups" and the key word there is "influential." A much larger group is called "poor working families" and they are not influential at all. And this is the group in nations worldwide that governments have the solemn duty to protect. Gambling is for people who can afford to lose money, or for rare extremely bright people who can play-to-win effectively. But gambling, just like alcohol, appeals to all social strata. Casinos are not in the business of turning away spenders, regardless of the spenders' home life with spouse and children living on the absolute poverty line.

I have friends who have lost their home, job, wife and kids, and finally their health, all because of gambling addiction. When they'd finished selling all the furniture and children's toys, they started borrowing money from loan sharks. Now they are living alone, working a far worse job than the one they lost, and trying to keep up repayments to the loan gangsters who visit every week. This is not even an unusual situation, it can only be expected, when these neon candystores promise instant lucky wealth to working people who often lack sufficient education. Many people just keep trying for that lucky dream win, while all their actual real-life dreams die around them.

I'm sure many of the recovering gambling-addicts, debt-prisoners, and families of dead gamblers, would all say this publicly too, but their group is just not "influential" enough.

good post. Casinos are mostly made up of greedy cheating pond scum.

just one thing, they dont let you win even if you are gifted or lucky.

I had a run of luck in blackjack table in Australia. First they send out some pretty casino rep offering free drinks for me answering some survey questions.

they do this to distract you. I told her politely to nick off

because i was changing bets,sometimes triple the stake and winning big next they send out a guy saying he has to esort me away from the tables as under suspicion for counting cards. Bunch of a-holes.

Edited June 26, 2015 by bamukloy