Police reform is essential before the government considers legalizing casinos and other underground businesses, according to an academic in Thailand.
Prof Dr. Attakrit Patchimnan, director of the Sanya Dharmasakti Institute for Democracy, recently emphasized that comprehensive reform of the police force is necessary to prevent corruption and abuse of power before the country can move forward with decriminalizing these businesses.
Attakrit’s comments were in response to a proposal from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a key figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, who suggested that legalizing and regulating underground businesses could help address social issues and boost national revenue.
However, Attakrit stressed that police, as the primary law enforcers, must first be reformed to ensure they do not exploit their authority for personal gain. He argued that this reform should be the government’s top priority.
“Police reform must come first before we can tackle other issues.”
Prof Dr. Attakrit Patchimnan
He also suggested that the government might use AI technologies to monitor police activities as part of the reform process, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
Attakrit cautioned that the government should not rush to legalize underground businesses solely to increase revenue but should also consider the potential impact on Thai culture. He recommended a gradual implementation of any decriminalization policies to allow time for addressing any problems that may arise.
If the government proceeds with plans to allow the establishment of an entertainment complex with casinos, Attakrit advised that it should carefully select a location and restrict access to local residents, drawing on the example of South Korea, which limits casino access to tourists to prevent social issues.
Attakrit concluded that such a complex should be situated in a tourist destination to minimize any negative impact on the local population.
