Support for allowing casinos in Thailand was found in a recent poll

A recent study in Thailand apparently shows that 81 percent of respondents are in favour of allowing foreign companies to build and operate at least one Las Vegas-style casino complex in the country.

The experiment was reportedly undertaken by the Casino Committee of Thailand and questioned 3,296 people on their perceptions of casinos, as reported by The Thaiger news service on Thursday, citing an earlier item from the Matichon daily newspaper. According to the information provided, 80.67 percent of the people polled were in favour of introducing a gambling-friendly resort to the south Asian country in order to increase the influx of international tourists and the local economy.

Constraints of proximity:

Despite having a population of close to 70 million, Thailand, unlike Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia, prohibits all types of legalised casino gambling. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha's right-wing coalition government established a special cross-bench body to investigate a range of measures that could lead to the legalisation of some forms of western-style gambling entertainment in the wake of the worsening economic climate following the purported coronavirus pandemic last year.

Investment wisely:

57 percent of respondents to a recent study favoured Bangkok as the location for a future casino resort, according to information released by Jakkapon Tangsuttitham, a member of parliament for the Pheu Thai political party and a spokeswoman for the Casino Committee of Thailand. According to the report, the official went on to say that numerous border provinces and towns within 60 miles of the popular tourist destinations of Rayong and Pattaya were also considered as potential locations for such a gambling-friendly facility.

Supportive measures:

About 64% of respondents stated a want for shopping, and 40% expressed a desire for a spa, according to the Casino Committee of Thailand's assessment on what any future casino resort should also offer. According to the study, 39% of respondents wanted a financial institution to be located in such a building, while 37% were OK with simply a gaming facility.

Doubts and concerns:

It has been stated that 55% of respondents to a poll conducted by the Casino Committee of Thailand were afraid that a new casino resort would increase crime, while 53% were worried about rising debt, and 40% were concerned about foreign company donations and engagement.

Primary Discussion Groups:

The news outlet also said that the Casino Committee of Thailand has been holding seminars in border regions of Chiang Rai and Tak, both of which are candidates to host the country's first casino resort. Economic and investment gains, as well as initiatives to crack down on illicit gaming and tax avoidance, have supposedly been discussed with those in attendance.

Conversational calculation

According to Tangsuttitham, the Casino Committee of Thailand plans to send the poll results to President Chuan Leekpai of the Thai National Assembly on July 27 in order to initiate a legislative debate on the topic.