Thai people are paying attention to “Casinos are legal in Thailand again” when the faculty and academics all came together to sign a signal to the “Cabinet” expressing concern over the resolution approving the study report of Special committee considers study of opening full-service entertainment venues (Entertainment Complex) because of enforcement of Thai law “Gambling activities” can be used as a means of money laundering by illegal businesses. Including being a means of making a living for government officials. or some politicians who are committing corruption, “casinos” may therefore be linked to the crime. breaking the law and many misconducts, especially in countries “Law enforcement is still ineffective.” Hopes that bringing underground businesses will lead to less illegal business and corruption may not come true. It has become an opportunity for more exploitation. Special Professor Wicha Mahakhun, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Rangsit University, gave information through a forum about the time for casinos in Thailand, looking at the present and dreaming about the future, saying that Thailand is not yet the time. “There must be legal casinos” as well as the social impacts need to be studied more clearly. “Plus, there are rumors starting to spread about dividing up cakes at casino locations,” especially in areas supported by MPs. Therefore, it is impossible that “Some MPs will not benefit” because this matter has to do with the economy, investment and concessions. And the more casinos are involved “Complete entertainment venues” which is an important discourse that allows many people to receive a share from investment, especially “concessions” according to the international formula for corruption is a concession equal to monopoly plus absolute discretion given. and remove audits that do not actually audit because concessions often lead to corruption becoming rooted in the system all along “Although later it was changed to investment or bidding,” in the end there was still a monopoly, cutting off the period of “contracting” where large operators received the work as far as we know. “Several big players” who will receive concessions are walking around the country, making people very suspicious. “Monopoly cannot be prevented” because this matter was flagged in the report. The extraordinary committee said that concessions must be granted to large companies. For the reason that “Casino expertise” therefore leads to the kickback process in exchange for concessions. “Opening a casino should not require concessions,” but should use a competitive bidding method and believe that “The income from the auction will be of enormous value,” causing investment to really have a positive impact on the economy. Especially the transfer of huge sums of money related to various crimes. Whether it is drugs, weapons trafficking, and human trafficking that will be laundered, therefore, before having a casino, you should examine in depth the matter of money laundering. Otherwise, it will be a channel for moving illegal money to make it legal,” said Prof. Piset Wicha, while Wichet Pichairat, a senior media person, said that the government has the right to choose to do things that are beneficial to society. But in the case of casinos, we only look at the economy. The lack of a social dimension often leads to many problems, making us go back to 2003. The “former prime minister of that time” sent a letter to the National Economic and Social Advisory Council. to ask for opinions and suggestions on business operations or businesses that affect the economy, such as entertainment complexes and casinos, making it evident that this matter has happened since 21 years ago, not just happened this year, but at that time “Anand Panyarachun” was the president of the council. Economic advisor There was a letter replying that Thai society still lacks readiness because values and behavior tend to like gambling. and law enforcement is not effective enough. And gambling is often a path to decline, leading to even more disaster. “It will not result in the elimination of illegal gambling.” Organizing a gambling system that is easy to control, appropriate and correct is difficult to achieve. And the gambling business is not an important factor in promoting employment. But it makes people gamble more. It also results in higher social origins in terms of crime. Bankruptcies cause social norms to deteriorate and gambling revenues draw more money from citizens into the gambling system. “Legal gambling” cannot solve the problem of capital flowing out of the country. making the final transition from local influence to national influence becoming “Network of politicians” leads to corruption at the national level or policy corruption In the end, the drive for the policy to legalize gambling was not able to continue until this era, even the “National Border Patrol Police” has given its opinion. The “Special Committee” if allowing people easy access to gambling may cause family problems. developed into a social problem or crimes from petty theft to more serious crimes. Even the location will have a difficult impact on care if it is in a community. or near educational institutions and may be used as a location “Money laundering related to illegal businesses” has created influential groups that have become a source of intoxication for new players, leading to more debts and loans, all affecting “Family and Society” Therefore, even though Thailand does not yet have legal casinos, 21% of crimes are caused by gambling problems or 1 in 5 of all problems. These things are not disclosed to the “public”, instead presenting only positive benefits. and economic numbers that may occur without giving Thai society the opportunity to weigh whether there should be legal casinos or not in terms of Pol. Maj. Gen. Supisan Phakdee Narunat, political department, said that right now it is a transition period and in the process of studying what will happen. “To communicate to the public to understand” but with limited study time, many issues are not covered and must be studied to know about the problem so that gambling is not allowed to be illegally indulged in like this. In the case of the study opening a place Comprehensive entertainment The “Special Committee” also invited relevant agencies from 9 ministries and 20 agencies to study impacts in 6 areas and produce a comprehensive report. “Political policy” whether it is money laundering Borrowing money, labor, sex work, illegal goods Next comes corruption. “Economic side” ranges from chronic gambling addiction Online gambling problems “Environment” often causes waste problems. and pollution affects the ecosystem. “Education” is a source of vices leading to various crimes. “Religion” related to customs and various social problems. But many in-depth details are still lacking. However, on April 9, 2024, the “Cabinet” passed a resolution to set up a working group to study the opening of integrated entertainment venues. and additional casinos It is expected that there will be a government group and the academic department joins in the study before offering to return Cabinet within 30 days, but in this report The “Special Committee” has drafted 86 sections of the law by collecting impact models, measures, and mechanisms that should be in place, using the example of the Singaporean mechanism as a model. But this report does not cease to be merely recommendations and observations. It’s probably a duty. The Cabinet has brought this matter into consideration and has recently begun counting by setting up a study group. After that, it will “draft the Act” through a decree and bring it to the House of Representatives, expected to be in July 2024. “But At this stage, “the people” may exercise their rights under Section 133 (3) of the 2017 Constitution by gathering 10,000 signatures to draft a law for discussion in the 2nd and 3rd agendas. But if they don’t want to have a casino, they will have to campaign. Saw the various problems that the tools were used for. “Expressing opinions and bring the facts to light.” And if there was a “referendum,” the whole country probably wouldn’t want it, but only a small percentage of people wanted casinos. So what we had to do next was follow. Or if you object, go to The Cabinet has ordered a delay. If it cannot be slowed down, it must move to postpone the casino first. Therefore, regarding the legality of casinos, the “government” should study all aspects of the impact because the decision was made too quickly. “The Thai economy and society” must face problems that have become a legacy of sin. It will definitely pass on to our children and grandchildren. Click to read more about the column “Scoop Page 1”.
