To stimulate investment and tourism, a research report submitted to the House of Representatives shows that Thailand is reconsidering the legalization of casinos. A research report scheduled to be submitted to the parliament on March 28 points out that although the only gambling activities currently allowed in Thailand are state-controlled horse racing and lottery, 10% of Thais are addicted to gambling.
Proponents of opening casinos believe that legalizing casinos can attract more foreign tourists, greatly boost the development of the tourism industry, and enable Thailand to compete with Macau. Macau is the only region in China where gambling is legal and is also the largest gambling center in the world.
The report comes from a committee composed of 60 members from the government and the opposition. Scholars believe that opening up the gambling industry in Thailand will definitely attract more tourists to Thailand, bringing greater economic benefits to the country. However, the Thai government must also plan well in management to avoid accompanying security problems.
On this matter, Professor Chen Shangmao, from the Department of Public Affairs at Fo Guang University in Taiwan and the International Director of Cross-Strait Affairs, told reporters from Hong Kong Zhongtong Agency that in the absence of a complete ban on illegal gambling, it is better to correct it through legal means, such as legal management, to put the gambling industry on the right track; in specific areas, allowing specific people to enter, which will also have a certain restraining effect on illegal gambling in Thailand.
Chen Shangmao continued, illegal gambling in Thailand is quite severe at present. Locals like to buy a type of lottery similar to "Lotto," which is quite popular locally. Especially some of the lower-middle-class people, they all hope to buy a hope with "Lotto" and then improve their living environment.
And a considerable part of the population may feel that the lottery can no longer meet their needs and start to try their luck at some illegal casinos. As for whether it will bring security problems? Chen Shangmao believes these issues are controllable. He pointed out that among Asian countries, Singapore is probably the most famous for casino management.
While opening casinos, Singapore has set specific regulations for local residents. Local residents need to pay the government an entry fee of 150 Singapore dollars per day or 3,000 Singapore dollars per year. In addition, relatives who find family members with a gambling mentality can apply for a "ban order" from the casino. Its main target is tourists, and under such circumstances, even if Singapore opens up the gambling industry, it does not have a significant negative impact on the local population.
Chen Shangmao also cited Jeju Island in South Korea as an example, where there are casinos and hotels, which are the so-called resort casinos. Earlier this year, he specifically visited a casino on Jeju Island, which, like Singapore, has a strict rule that locals cannot enter.
Referring to the practices of these two countries, Chen Shangmao believes that opening casinos will not cause security problems, but the premise is that very strict subsequent management policies must be formulated for the opening of casinos. On the basis of such stable management policies, it can reduce the negative impact on security.
Chen Shangmao reminded that Laos, across from Thailand, has opened a super-large casino, clearly targeting Thai tourists or Thais. Under such circumstances, opening casinos in Thailand can not only reduce Thais from going abroad but also keep tourists in Thailand. Thailand's tourism industry is already quite famous in Asia, and if gambling is opened on this basis, Chen Shangmao believes it will bring greater help to the tourism industry.
