Thailand mulls setting up casinos

Thailand mulls setting up casinos

BANGKOK: The Thai government may consider setting up casinos
in the seaside resort town of Pattaya, the chief advisor to
Thailand's ruling Thai Rak Thai party said, according to a media
report Saturday.

Thai Rak Thai's Snoh Thienthong told a packed meeting mulling
the issue in Pattaya that the government's advisors would
consider the plan if it was backed by public hearings, a Nation
newspaper report said.

"My suggestion is for the Chon Buri governor to conduct public
hearings and submit conclusions to the government's advisory
team," Snoh was quoted as saying.

Pattaya, famed as much for its raunchy nightlife as its
beaches, is located in Chon Buri province, 150 kilometers south
of the capital.

Public sentiment in predominantly Buddhist Thailand has led to
the rejection of all previous proposals to open casinos here.

Nevertheless, Thais are huge gamblers.

In January this year, officials said some 130 billion baht
(US$3.0 billion) was being lost every year to casinos across the
border in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. -- AFP