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?

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