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Senior Thai officials continue to focus on the Thai public’s interests
The Bangkok Post headline neatly summarised the Thai government’s argument in favour of Entertainment Complexes – “Thailand stresses safeguards in casino pitch”.
In a press conference for local media in the Thai capital, Suksit Srichomkhwan, deputy secretary-general to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and deputy finance minister Julapun Amornivat talked about the strict controls that would be enforced around who could enter the ECs’ casinos, with tracking of their spending and behaviours and a strong and active anti-money-laundering regime in place.
What they called “social safeguards” will also be set up to prevent people from becoming problem gamblers and treat those who might become addicted.
Online gaming would be excluded from the facilities, and the authorities would continue to close illegal sites and freeze the accounts of anyone associated with them.
Their comments typify the “hearts and minds” campaigning that the Thai government is conducting in the run-up to the next reading of the Entertainment Complex Bill in the legislature on 9 July.
The pair also detailed an impressive list of the benefits the ECs would bring in terms of jobs created, the increase in both tourist numbers plus the amount they would spend, and the fact that no public money would be required to fund their development. They also quantified the potential increase in GDP contributions the ECs could make – up to 0.8% on the current total.
Also given due prominence were the non-gaming attractions and facilities for visitors that the ECs could feature, like conference facilities, indoor stadiums, water parks and shopping malls.
Proponents of the ECs want to convince the Thai public that ECs will benefit the country across a wide spectrum in the short, medium and long-term. Suksit and Julapun’s comments are clearly part of that ambition.
What was also telling was Sukhit’s reminder that time doesn’t stand still. “Right now, we’re at the legal groundwork stage. The planning phase alone may take around three years. But every minute lost is an opportunity lost for Thailand,” he cautioned.
