Irregularities in a recent survey conducted by Thailand’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) have raised eyebrows among critics of the government’s entertainment complex scheme.
According to a Bangkok Post report, former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn pointed out concerns with the survey results. The poll, which covered 71,303 people, showed almost identical levels of support for every aspect of the scheme, with 80.6 percent to 80.75 percent of people voting in favor of each of the eight topics.
This implies that approximately 57,500 out of 71,303 respondents gave the same answers, he said. Somchai remarked that the results lack credibility.
A similar opinion has also been shared by gaming expert Daniel Cheng, who pointed out that the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll, which uses a control group, offers a higher confidence level and more accurately reflects Thai public sentiment on casino legalization compared to the open online feedback process organized by the FPO of the Ministry of Finance.
As reported by AGB, a survey conducted by NIDA found that a majority of Thai citizens were concerned about the government’s plan to legalize casinos. Among respondents, 32.6 percent feared legalized casinos could increase vice and undermine national security, while 30.2 percent doubted the policy’s economic benefits.
Additionally, 28.1 percent expressed concerns about a rise in gambling addiction, 24.9 percent worried about potential money laundering activities, and 24.7 percent questioned the government’s ability to prevent criminal activities linked to casino complexes.
In contrast, a separate consultation conducted by the FPO just one day later indicated strong public support for the casino bill. During the 15-day public hearing period, over 71,000 respondents participated, with 80.75 percent expressing approval for the proposed entertainment complex plan. Many participants even suggested easing regulations on locals’ entry and gaming floor space.
Concerns over benefits and public input
Casino-entertainment complex opponents voiced concern over the way the government was pushing the scheme, saying it appeared to be rushed without sufficient public scrutiny or a proper feasibility study.
Their remarks came after chief government whip Wisut Chainarun indicated that the entertainment complex bill, approved by the cabinet on March 27th, will likely be scrutinized by April 9th.
Senator Veerasak Vijitsaengsri wrote on Facebook that the scheme is a highly divisive issue, with about 60 percent of people in favor and 40 percent against.
While the government states that the casino-entertainment complex proposal had undergone a public hearing, the senator argued that public input went largely unnoticed. He also questioned the benefits of the scheme, which supporters claim will bring multiple advantages: generating more revenue for the state, eradicating underground gambling, and resolving bribery and corruption related to illegal gambling.
Veerasak said that while the state might collect some revenue from this project, the actual beneficiaries will be investors prioritizing profit over social impacts.
As for tackling illegal gambling, he said the issue of underground lotteries remains unresolved despite various efforts, including increasing the volume of government lottery tickets.
Veerasak also voiced skepticism about the THB50 million ($1.5 million) bank account requirement, saying this would attract only the wealthy who already travel abroad to gamble legally. He emphasized that he is not completely against it, but if revenue is the only focus, it would be too late to address social impacts.
In a social media post, Parit Wacharasindhu, a People’s Party (PP) MP, urged the public to closely monitor the government’s attempt to fast-track the bill before the present parliamentary session concludes on April 10th.
He said four meeting days remain for the current session, with at least 11 urgent bills pending review. The PP lawmaker questioned what method will be used to push the casino bill ahead of the others.
