'Two influential groups back casino plan'
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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.
