Avoid Getting Sick in Thailand
March 13, 2008
Well, since I’ve spent the past two days sick and in bed it seems like the perfect motivation to talk a little bit about getting sick in
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News and Musings of the Past and Future
March 10, 2008
It was quite a busy week for me last week, but I am that much closer to unveiling the new look of Thailand Musings. You may have noticed some changes already in formatting and navigation because I’ve been working in the background to get everything ready for the change. And Golf and I took a trip to Atlantic City over the weekend. It was her first time to see the Atlantic Ocean and her first visit to a casino. Very exciting for her and she has promised to share her thoughts about it later this week. Also coming up this week is Golf’s recipe for Tandoori Chicken, so stay tuned for that, I can tell you it is fantastic!
Here’s a quick roundup of some notable posts around the blogosphere:
The 10 best things about living in Thailand - Self explanatory. Browse over and add your own favorites.
Thailand to become the Vegas of the East - The Lost Boy gives his take on the announcement that gambling will be legalized in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Almost Finished - Preview of a great new book about life in Thailand. I for one cannot wait until Geoff releases the full book.
Sacred Life Sunday Orchids in the Desert - A fellow Thailand blogger looking for some good advice. Go over and see if you have something to add to the discussion.
Thailand Turns Upscale Gangster Paradise - Russian arms dealer caught in Bangkok at the Sofitel Silom Hotel.
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Tawanna Square Replaces Suan Lum
March 7, 2008
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Goodbye Suan Lum Night Bazaar
March 5, 2008
For those of you that love Suan Lum Night Bazaar like I do take note. Looks like they are finally going to enforce the closing that was supposed to take effect last April. Read more
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Will Thailand Make Gambling Legal?
March 4, 2008
On Monday it was announced by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej that he is considering legalizing gambling in Thailand. He plans on following in the footsteps of Macau, Singapore and Malaysia, but did not give details about what types of gambling would be allowed. He did mention however that this move would mean that there would no longer for police to spend time raiding the numerous small gambling dens now in existence.
Realizing that nearly ever country around Thailand, including Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos now have legal gambling and the fact that numerous Thai’s gamble (I have seen numbers as high as 70%), is it wise for Thailand to legalize gambling?
There are the obvious positive factors such as increased tax revenues, increased hotel occupancy rates, increased tourism and job creation. These will certainly happen as they have in every location that has legalized gambling. Look at the growth of Macau and Las Vegas over the past several years. Macau had an economic growth rate in 2007 of 30% and has already surpassed Las Vegas in gaming revenues and since 2003 has seen tourism quadruple. Can you imagine the impact this type of tourism increase would have in Thailand.
Of course there are also the negatives factors. Casinos can be said to prey upon the poor and many fear that the working class Thai’s would be losing more money to the large casinos than they can possibly lose with the small operation type gambling that occurs now. Others worry that the same type of corruption that is commonplace in Thailand would serve to make sure the potential economic boom would be directed to a select group of individuals pockets rather than serving the public as it does in Las Vegas and Atlantic City here in the U.S. Still others are against gambling on moral issues and suggest that if gambling is legalized the Thai’s might as well legalize drugs and prostitution as well.
I think that legal gambling could be a good thing in Thailand IF it is structured properly and IF the revenues generated are directed towards public works - improving infrastructure, health and education within Thailand. I also think the gambling would need to be confined to certain areas and Thailand should try to entice the large casino operators to invest in Thailand. I certainly don’t want to see a one armed bandit in every little beer bar, guesthouse or train/bus station.
Since PM Samak Sundaravej hasn’t elaborated on what form the legalized gambling will take in Thailand we simply have to wait and see what’s next. In any case I’m sure it will be quite some time before we see the first casino’s opening in Thailand, if ever.
Is it wise for Thailand to legalize gambling?
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