Democrat wants PM to confirm no casino in Thailand

Deputy Democrat Leader Issara Somchai opposed the move to open a casino and urged the Prime Minister to confirm her statement that it would not be built.

The former Minister of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security said he did not want to see Thung Kula Ronghai, or a farmland, turned into a site for a casino, adding that it was where the best jasmine rice had been grown.

Mr. Issara further stated that he did not want Thai people develop a gambling habit given that it was already bad enough that they gambled on the lottery. He believed this would lead to a higher crime rate. According to him, none of the Democrat members agreed to this idea.

He urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to confirm that there would not be any casino, not giving vague comments to buy time. The Deputy Democrat Leader also revealed that many investors had visited Thung Kula Ronghai while some had been to Hong Kong and Macau as if to prepare to open a casino in Thailand.