Thailand to become the Vegas of the East
Nothing is set in stone yet, but if this goes all the way, it will drastically affect Thailand in a number of ways. Everyone knows that gambling goes on, but this would bring it out into the open. It also has the potential to shake up tourism in Thailand, which I am sure is part of the motivation behind this move.
There were rumblings recently about Harrah’s, a multi-billion-dollar US-gaming corporation, showing interest in Phuket’s International Convention and Exhibition Center project. A representative from Harrah’s was here recently to meet with Vice-Governor Worapoj.
Harrah’s is also rumored to be planning to invest in Chiang Mai. Who wants to bet whether within five years Phuket will become the next Macau?
From The Nation:
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday told his weekly radio and television audience he would move to legalise gambling.
Responding to a question from his audience, Samak said he would follow the legal model that is practised in Malaysia, Macao, Singapore and Shanghai.
He urged newspapers not to use sensational headlines like “Samak supports gambling”.
“When gambling is legalised, there will be no longer the need for police to act on gambling dens,” he added.
Samak did not provide details about what types of gambling he wanted to legalise. But viewers assume he may be including casinos and small dens that now operate in the countries he mentioned under state super-vision and revenue collection.
What do you think? Good move? bad move?
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Within 5 years the Las Vegas style hotels & casinos in Singapore will have already opened and as usual Thailand will be left playing catch up.
I did hear talk of the first nudist colony in Asia being based not far from the Andaman region, perhaps they could capitalize on that angle?
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Gambling is not my thing and I certainly won’t go near to this sort of place, but some of my friends will surely love this idea. How about the idea of legalising prostitution in Thailand as well? It is universally tolerated in this country anyway. Next idea should be the legalising of drugs. When drugs are no longer outlawed, there will no longer be the need for a war on drugs. We will not have to put up with hearing about those drug dealers being shot by the police without trial.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Why not legalize anarchy? C’mon! Can anyone honestly say legalizing gambling is the best move for Thailand?
Just because it’s tolerated doesn’t make it right.
March 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Harrah’s more than likely will not pull the trigger. All of the major Las Vegas companies ( Sands, Wynn, and MGM) have seriously considered investing in Thailand. All have pulled out or written the idea off as ludicrous. Yes, perhaps the Thais are big gamblers and perhaps millions of tourists come to Thailand for some sin, but investing a couple of billion dollars into Thailand now is a very bad idea. Especially if it is a casino.
Why do you think they are building ‘integrated resorts’ in Singapore at a cost of billions of dollars? Do you think that they forgot to check out bangkok or that Singapore has a spicier image? NO. Thailand blew its chance a while ago for a variety of different reasons.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Yes, I is very good idea! let do it, so the the tourist business will boom!!!
So what! Thais are the best gamble in the world! go to vegas and see.
I have been there and done that. It is all BS that Thais not like to gamble. C’mon!
BS yourself.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Matt-
Your post should have been titled “Thailand to become the Macao of southeast Asia.”
Macao is already ahead of Vegas in gaming revenues. vegas executives now joke about Vegas being the Macao of America– a trend started by Sheldon Adelson of Las Vegas Sands.
Chani-
Legalizing gambling in Thailand is a good idea in my opinion. Thais love to gamble. Currently the industry is dominated by organized crime. Legalizing it would prevent money laundering, tax winnings properly, and provide a real casino credit system.
It is hard to argue that the current gaming industry (illegal and run by rather unsavory characters) is working well.
However, it won’t happen. There is just too much opposition from the public and the religious establishment.
Harrah’s has almost missed the boat on the Asian gaming market. They have only one division outside of the US (London Club) and are now shitting bricks. Investigating Thailand is purely out of desperation. The other big players realized this years ago.
I will be shocked and appalled if Harrah’s takes the plunge. If they do decide to take the plunge, I’d say the odds are stacked against them.
On a side note.. some trivia. one of Harrah’s casinos, Caesars Palace, has a replica of the Erawan statue (from the Erawan hotel in Bangkok) right out front. It was a gift from Yip Hon and a Thai businessman.
March 4th, 2008 at 3:06 am
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March 4th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Paul you’re the voice of reason!
Legalizing gambling will make things better for sure: current gambling dens are hell holes where the worst may happen…
Besides gambling isn’t as sinful as some bigots may think…
March 4th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
What I found most interesting about this announcement is that it came just days after Thaksin’s return to Thailand. He was pushing for legalized gambling and the casino resort idea when he was PM and the idea left when he did. Now he comes back and just several days later the idea resurfaces. Coincidence? Maybe. All things considered casinos could be a very good revenue generating instrument for Thailand, not to mention job creation. It all depends on how the system is set up and I’m sure all of the major gaming companies have considered that in depth prior to deciding whether they want to invest.
June 11th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I guess untill then Thai will have to rely on “Bog Deng” and fortune card readings in funerals.
;)