Democratic Party members in Thailand are staunchly opposing the government's proposal to legalize casinos by integrating them into entertainment complexes. Democratic MP Chaichana Detdacho has emerged as a vocal critic, advocating for a focus on preserving traditional games such as cow fighting, cock fighting, fish fighting, and the card game Hi-Lo instead.
Detdacho contends that the potential harms of casino legalization outweigh any perceived benefits, citing cautionary tales from other nations. He highlights instances in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines where legalization failed to mitigate social issues and even resulted in diminished tax revenues.
Drawing parallels with experiences in the USA, Europe, Great Britain, and Australia, Detdacho argues that legalizing casinos does little to eradicate underground gambling activities. Instead, he warns of the potential for casinos to attract new players, exacerbating societal challenges.
