Thailand’s Labour Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, is the latest politician to publicly back the legalization of casinos, stating the move would be positive for the local economy by providing up to 50,000 jobs nationwide.
According to a report by The Bangkok Post, Phiphat believes should look to develop five casinos nationwide, ideally located in secondary cities in each of the five regions. The chosen locations must, however, already offer other tourist attractions and sufficient accommodation to house a large number of visitors. They should also have supporting infrastructure and transport options, with Songkhla and Chiang Rai named as two potential options.
Such integrated resort development, Phiphat said, could create 10,000 jobs each and would likely pay higher wages than many other jobs available to locals.
“Legalizing activities such as gambling in casinos will create more benefits for the economy,” he said. “Having casinos will not only lure foreign tourists, but local tourists won’t have to travel abroad to engage in such activities,.
Phiphat, who served as tourism and sports minister in the previous government, added that it remained vital that the government impose strict screening rules on visitors to local casinos, including employment and income status.
As reported by IAG, a second study on the possible legalization of casino resorts in Thailand has been completed and will be put to the country’s House of Representatives for deliberation next week. If passed by the House, it will be submitted to the Cabinet for final approval.
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