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Alexander Dumas's avatar

Quote: "To thrive, according to the Maverick Group study, “Thailand's nascent casino industry needs decisive government action: clear objectives, a commitment to responsible development, and a market-driven approach.” The study cites Macau's approach, which prioritizes a market-driven model over strict government control."

Really? A market-driven approach? Seriously? In Thailand -- with its cowboy capitalism? And Thaksin Shinawatra --the corrupt crook and criminal -- with his big hand playing casino capitalism behind the scenes?

This has disaster written all over it. For a business like casino, surrendering its oversight to the "market" is asking for trouble. The Star Casino in Australia is a case in point. I know people in Macau who often speak of the manipulative shenanigans that happen with it casino business. What do you think are the odds of at first subtle and when left unchecked of gross mismanagement of money and credit flow in a casino, such is the historical case of Thai capitalism and successive Thai governments, amidst the constant atmosphere of politico-militarist uncertainty? And all this on top of all the known (and unknown) illegal gambling activities that lead to manic corruption not just of politicians and minister but also of Thai cops, who are, to be sure, amongst the dirtiest in the world.

Casinos must be closely regulated by the state, but only if the institutions of the state are completely trustworthy. And if an independent regulator were to step into that regulatory role, what are the chances of it not turning rogue, sooner or later?

As if corruption and illegal activities aren't historically embedded in Thai "society", starting a casino in Thailand is tantamount to worsening the scourge of corruption to manic proportions, that brings Thai people to their knees financially and in all likelihood spawn greater waves of crimes that Thai police would baulk at investigating, let alone resolving. Frankly, in my opinion, this is a goddamn stupid idea if ever I've heard one for Thailand.

But it's not surprising, I suppose, given that Thaksin Shinawatra's big nose is deep in the trough, sniffing out money-making opportunities for himself, his family and his cronies. Shinawatra isn't Midas. Not everything he touches turns into gold. If this were possible, he wouldn't have fled to the Middle East to escape facing justice. He's a first-class crook. About the only one who thinks Thaksin Shinawatra's shit doesn't stink is Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who invited Shinawatra as his adviser on ASEAN matters, as if ASEAN really matters in the global scheme of things.

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Wolftone's avatar

Completely right. The Star and Crown in Australia were market driven and governed. Then the government in Canberra, through ASIO, found out they were both, Shock Horror, allowing huge sums to be laundered. There were Enquiries set up to handle the matter and new laws were legislated. But, the reality is the laundering still goes on. The Adelaide Casino, Crown Tassie and Star Queensland have all been in trouble and have the auditors in.

As in Australia, mainly in Crown Group ,that used to be run by the Packers, Organised Crime is a huge player. In Macau. James Packer did deals with the Macau, Vegas and other Casino operators, who all had Organised Crime links. This is a huge problem for Thailand, because if these people get a foot in there is no getting them out and the violence steps up to disproportionate levels and the murder rate doubles.

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Wolftone's avatar

This is typical of the corrupt Thai Government. This will create problems, as the government knows, previously casinos was illegal for good reason. This is country who say they are a democracy bu will not let the party that won by a landslide run the country. The High Court put their cronnies in to run the country, banning the elected government. TOTALLY CORRUPT

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Pleiades's avatar

Encouraging gambling is never a good thing...

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