The Transport Ministry has approved plans for an integrated entertainment complex at Bangkok Port.
On Friday, Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit mentioned that his deputy, Manaporn Charoensri, had instructed the formation of a committee to assess the feasibility of developing entertainment complexes at various port locations.
Multiple sites are currently under consideration. Suriya highlighted Bangkok Port, located in the Klong Toey area, as particularly promising due to its large land area, scenic river views, and potential for transformation into a yacht marina. He expressed confidence that Bangkok is a suitable venue for such a project.
In terms of possibilities in the eastern region, such as Laem Chabang or Pattaya, Suriya noted that the final decision rests with a national committee and that the Transport Ministry does not have the authority to determine the location.
Academic Sangsit Piriyarangsan, an expert on the social consequences of gambling, raised concerns about the government’s ability to manage the challenges associated with legal gambling, especially given its struggles with current illegal gambling operations.
Sangsit, a former senator and author of “The Gambling Demon of Bangkok,” warned that legalizing gambling could exacerbate issues and increase the government’s burdens. He has researched underground gambling for decades, previously leading the Political Economy Study Centre at Chulalongkorn University.
He cautioned that gambling “demons”—problems associated with the industry—have afflicted cities and countries like Las Vegas, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore, and they are now emerging in Thailand.
Sangsit noted that the Department of Provincial Administration and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, tasked with drafting relevant legislation, have not thoroughly examined the social implications of online gambling. He criticized the lack of public involvement in their research, which could result in flawed policies due to insufficient understanding.
He remarked that while amending laws to legalize gambling might be straightforward for the government, the more complex challenge lies in accessing knowledge, recognizing potential negative impacts, and developing preventive measures.
Furthermore, Sangsit emphasized that if gambling becomes legal, it would be difficult to regulate online activities. He pointed out that while casinos primarily target adult patrons, online gambling is more accessible to younger individuals, making it challenging to enforce age restrictions and increasing the risk of addiction among children and adolescents.
