Democrat MP tells PM, ministers to take responsibility for gambling dens in Rayong

Dr Banyat Jetanajan, Democrat member of the House of Representatives for Rayong province, said on Sunday that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan and Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda must take responsibility for letting gambling dens exist in Rayong, which had led to the infection among local people. He warned the real number of infections could be even higher.

“I have raised the issue of gambling dens in Rayong for discussion in Parliament meetings many times, so I believe the PM and related ministries must be aware of the problem,” he said. “After the crackdown on a large gambling den in the Map Ta Phut area in June, how come there are still gambling dens in the province, making Rayong the second biggest hotspot after Samut Sakhon in the new wave of Covid-19?”

“As a Rayong resident, I am highly concerned about the economy, tourism and well-being of the people of Rayong that would be severely affected by the new outbreak,” he added. “But as an MP in the government coalition, I want the government to clarify why there are still gambling dens as well as show sincerity in solving the problem for good.

“I sympathise with local residents who have sacrificed greatly to keep the province safe from Covid-19 since the outbreak started, but due to the irresponsibility of some government officials who failed to rid the province of gambling dens, they have to suffer the consequence from these mass infections,” added Banyat.

“The government must bring those who neglected their duty to face justice and make sure that Rayong has no gambling dens,” Banyat said.