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.
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.