Thai Locals Still Opposed to Entertainment Complexes, Fear Crime and Problem Gambling

The arrival of entertainment complexes in Thailand, the long-debated large development projects that will feature casino gaming floors, seem all but certain. But despite the strong political momentum, locals still have qualms about what the future may bring.

A new survey that petitioned 1,000 Thai nationals who were over the age of 18 revealed several concerns over certain potential consequences of building these casino resorts in the first place.

Casinos at Entertainment Complexes Still a Tough Sale

Interviewees spoke about the higher risk of problem gambling and the potential for organized crime forming around legalized casinos and entertainment complexes. Locals also expressed outright doubt about the government’s claims that gambling legalization on the premises of the entertainment complexes would lead to economic benefits as a whole.

The Nida Poll which was conducted between March 18 and 20 analyzed the answers to outline the chief concerns shared by ordinary citizens. According to the poll, 32.60% of interviewees were concerned about the implied vice and immorality that stemmed from gambling.

Respondents proved to be remarkably economically savvy as they outright questioned a claim by the government that the arrival of casinos within the entertainment complexes would help boost the economy – how some 30.23% of the respondents asked?

Another 28.09% said that the government should outline a strict plan about preventing Thai nationals from developing a gambling-related problem and have in place a framework to help those who may have developed such a problem.

Another 24.89% of respondents said that they were worried about money laundering and did not feel confident that the government had any plan in place to ensure that the casinos wouldn’t become a place for the conduct of criminal activity.

Locals Worried about Organized Crime and New Conflicts

31.83% of respondents said that because of casinos they expected a new and violent conflict while another 31.68% argued that there would be a new conflict, but they did not anticipate violence. This poll comes at a time when the government is pushing forward with delivering on its promise to create entertainment resorts.

Despite this, academics and trade groups have cautioned against the adoption of the regulatory framework and urged for reconsideration of some of its core points.

For example, the Thail Hotels Association has suggested that any entertainment complex ought to be developed in secondary cities, as the ones already proposed by the government faced water shortages and would not benefit economically as much as secondary cities would.