Thai Prime Minister said to be considering legalising gambling. In a bid to curb the growth of illegal gambling dens, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has confirmed that he is now considering to legalise gambling.
The Bangkok Post reports that Prayut is said to be open to holding public discussions on the pros and cons of legalising gambling despite being against to the idea himself.
The Prime Minister is particularly concerned that Thailand’s most recent COVID-19 outbreak has been largely attributed to illegal gambling dens, with Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), confirming Friday that Prayut was ready to discuss the idea. Prayut is Chairman of the CCSA.
According to Visanuyothin, the key question for Prayut is whether gambling can be considered morally acceptable by the majority of Thais. This isnt the first time the issue of casino development in Thailand is raised. The most recent one was raised following the passing of highly-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016 after 70 years on the Thai throne.
If casinos in Thailand were to be made legal, it could severely affect the profitability of Cambodian and Lao properties on their borders with Thailand. These properties rely heavily on traffic from Thailand and include casinos in Poipet, Cambodia, and the three casinos in Laos.
[image: Florian Wehde]
