Lotteries, casino legalisation heat up social media

June 16 saw the first round of the lottery draw after the government implemented the “Bt80 lottery ticket price” policy. Many social-media users discussed lottery sellers’ and buyers’ reactions as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the policy. 

Meanwhile, the national police chief’s backing for the idea of legalising casinos in Thailand has hogged the headlines for a few days. 

He drew a lot of comments. A group of National Reform Council members who had originally proposed the idea were the targets previously. 

Utain Shartpinyo: Many reporters asked what I think about the idea to legalise casinos. I will answer honestly. It should have been legalised ages ago. We all know that there are a lot of gambling dens and sources of vices. Don’t fool yourself. Bring all on the table. Don’t be a hypocrite. 

Man Sanambin: Don’t [legalise casinos]. That will be our doom. Our descendants will be doomed. Let those who want to gamble go abroad. It’s their money.

Kittibodi Panyasen: Haven’t [we] got enough crimes in society?

Pasit Phuapornsawan: May I ask if you are sure [you want] to legalise casinos like Singapore and the US? Do you think we are ready like other countries? What is their per capita income? Is Thailand ready? It’s uncertain nowadays we still don’t know where our country is going. Please think carefully. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do that but when the idea was first proposed six or seven years ago, why did you oppose it then and why agree now? Who will benefit from this? 

Kt Kbu: No casinos please. Please take the national police chief for attitude adjustment before he ruins the government’s popularity. (?!? Hahaha)

Ongart Seetuksin: I am glad the PM knows what should come first. Otherwise he would face criticism. A junta cannot flee people’s criticism.

Pitchanan Bunmark: Don’t distract the people with the casino idea. People should loudly ask the two people who can order the national police chief – PM Prayut [Chan-o-cha] and General Prawit [Wongsuwan]. They should shout out and expedite the rank removal [of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra]. The national police chief has begun to be deaf to the people’s voice. 

Sarawut Konghin: Let it be in the hands of the next government. I think those who proposed this idea should go back and do their jobs. The work they are supposed to do isn’t going anywhere. 

On Twitter, @wilaisoft wrote: I believe the people who claim morality in opposing casinos must have some family members who buy lottery.

@k0b_k0b: Nowadays people buy lotteries and are gambling already, but the money stays underground. Taxes from casinos should be used to build libraries. Sin taxes must be used for good things, education.

@khunnibhon: If you solve the problem of illegal gambling by legalising it, in the future I expect to see [proposals] to legalise narcotics as the solution to the drug problem and then use the money gained to run the country.

@Itsara_Th: Detroit, a casino city, was deep in debt. It filed for bankruptcy on July 18, 2013, as it got lower taxes from the residents. Do Thais know this? 

@SuradejL: You would convert sin taxes into a boon? We raised excise taxes for alcohol, have we seen fewer deaths? Have we built enough hospitals to balance the sin taxes? Is it only a new form of tea money? Will we be able to control casinos? Can it be a place for money laundering? 

@Bangkok_2474: The people of Macau and Las Vegas barely benefit from casinos. Those benefits are for capitalists, do you know this? Israel, Singa-pore are wealthier than Thailand because they built a society of knowledgeable people who work hard and are innovative. Casinos in Singapore came later. Good education must always come first.