Was Thailand casino poll rigged?

On 27 March, Thailand cabinet members passed the Entertainment Complex Bill, which would legalise casino resorts in the country. The bill is now under review by parliament.

A January poll from the National Institute of Development Administration reported that many Thai residents oppose legal casinos, fearing they will lead to gambling addiction and increased crime. Almost 33% worried casinos would compromise national security and more than 30% asked if they would truly lift the country’s economy. About 17% were concerned the industry would enrich politicians over the general population.

But the Thailand Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) reported that a recent public comment period showed overwhelming support for the legislation. Eighty per cent of respondents gave a thumbs-up to the plan.

Now, former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn says the FPO results are questionable, to say the least. According to the Bangkok Post, the survey showed uncannily similar levels of support for every aspect of the bill.

Per the survey, 57,500 out of 71,303 respondents delivered nearly identical answers, with 80.6% to 80.75% of people saying yes to each of eight questions.

“Even from Mars, the result looks improbable,” Somchai said. “Yet the cabinet believes it.”

The lure: Billions in revenue, taxes

Legal casinos could attract billions in international investment and boost tourism as Thailand struggles to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. It would also create tens of thousands of new jobs.

In a November report, Citi analysts estimated that gross gaming revenue (GGR) from Thailand casinos “could reach $9.1 billion (311 billion baht/£6.9 billion/€8.2 billion) when fully ramped. This would rank Thailand ahead of Singapore” and third behind Macau and Las Vegas.

The industry would also throw a lifeline to the government, generating up to $1.16 billion in new tax revenue.

Four sites have been selected to host potential entertainment complexes: Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chonburi and Bangkok.

Petition: Focus on deadly earthquake, not casinos

People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu warns that the government will try to speed the bill through parliament before the current session ends on 10 April. “Let’s see what method will be used here to push the casino bill ahead of the others,” he said.

Parit also said a feasibility study should be completed before the bill passes in parliament – not after, as proposed by deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat.

And today, 3 April, Nation Thailand reported that 189 former senators have come out against passage of the bill. They cited familiar concerns: the risks of addiction and other crime, uncertain economic benefits and a lack of transparency in the process.

They called on lawmakers to focus on recovery from the recent earthquake instead of rushing to approve a controversial casino bill.

The 8.2-magnitude quake hit neighbouring Myanmar on 28 March. It caused “a level of devastation that hasn’t been seen over a century in Asia”, the International Red Cross told MSN. A series of smaller earthquakes followed in Thailand, one of which collapsed a high-rise in Bangkok.

In the two countries, more than 3,000 people are now confirmed dead.