Mixed views on casinos
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LIKE the ongoing public debate on the controversial proposal to permit casinos, a Suan Dusit Poll opinion survey has shown mixed results among respondents.
Asked about the advantages of having casinos in Thailand, 76.60 per cent of the respondents approved of high revenue, 73.07 per cent approved of the side benefits for the economy and tourism, 71.31 per cent approved of more jobs in and around the casinos, 63.83 per cent approved of the reduction in police corruption and intimidation for protection fees, and 58.69 per cent approved of open punting and reduction in illegal dens.
As for the disadvantages, 79.75 per cent were not keen on the moral decline and bad impression on Thai youth, another 74.32 per cent disapproved of encouraging idleness and the habit of making debts, 70.43 per cent disapproved of tarnishing the country's image, 68.67 per cent disapproved of encouraging corruption and illegal activities, and 64.56 per cent disapproved of encouraging crimes and social problems.
The pollster, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, did not indicate how many respondents took part in this survey or their profiles.
On what should be enforced if casinos are allowed to operate, 77.62 per cent cited limits on the ages of gamblers, 76.16 per cent cited strict penalisation on officials regulating the operations, 75.50 per cent cited making an effort to seek the acceptance of members of the public, and 62.66 per cent cited zoning of the casinos so that they do not affect the local communities.
Meanwhile, Thong Lor police in Bangkok yesterday arrested for 26 gamblers, eight of whom are foreigners, in a luxury condominium off soi Sukhumvit 24, and two organisers for allegedly arranging unauthorised poker games.
The room, which is reportedly worth Bt45 million in the property market, is on the eighth floor of the 29-storey building.
Jatuphol Wisutsaeng, one of the alleged organisers, told police that around Bt1 million was circulated in the game room, which began operating a month ago.
The suspect said that he had received a daily tip of around Bt30,000 from the gamblers, five of whom are foreign men and three are foreign women.
Separately, Thai netizens have been spreading online articles about the history of legal casinos in Thailand, which began operations on February 3, 1945, during the reign of prime minister Khuang Aphaiwong. The articles also featured photos of metal chips in denominations of Bt1, Bt10, Bt20 and Bt100, issued by the Finance Ministry and which are now rare items.
The articles said the casinos were ordered closed on June 9 of the same year after most of the gamblers went broke.
