Bangkok Port a possible casino site

Bangkok Port in Klong Toey area. The Transport Ministry has given the green light for Bangkok Port to house an integrated entertainment complex. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Bangkok Port in Klong Toey area. The Transport Ministry has given the green light for Bangkok Port to house an integrated entertainment complex. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The Transport Ministry has given the green light for Bangkok Port to have an entertainment complex.

Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit on Friday said his deputy, Manaporn Charoensri, will form a committee on the feasibility of developing an entertainment complex in areas such as ports.

He said multiple locations are being considered.

Regarding Bangkok Port in the Klong Toey area, Mr Suriya said the location has great potential, given it is a sizeable plot of land with scenic river views and the capability to be transformed into a yacht marina.

Mr Suriya said Bangkok itself is a suitable location for such a development.

As for Laem Chabang or Pattaya having an entertainment complex -- which would also house a casino -- he said the decision lies with a national committee, and the Transport Ministry has no authority to fix a location.

An academic who specialises in social problems that are allegedly caused by gambling, has expressed concern over whether the government can handle more problems from lawful gambling as it cannot even resolve the existing issues of illegal gambling dens and websites.

He said the gambling "demons" that have been haunting cities, territories and countries like Las Vegas, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore are now creeping their way into Thailand.

He also pointed out that casinos typically target adults, whereas online gambling seems easily accessible to younger people.

Controlling age restrictions online is far more challenging, increasing the risk of addiction among children and adolescents, he said.

Vocabulary

  • addiction: a strong need or wish to spend as much time as possible doing a particular activity - การติด
  • adolescent: a boy or girl who is changing into a young man or woman -
  • capability: the ability to do something - ความสามารถ
  • casino: a building where gambling games, especially roulette and card games are played for money - บ่อนการพนัน
  • committee: a group of people who are chosen, usually by a larger group, to make decisions or to deal with a particular subject - คณะกรรมการ
  • complex: an area that has several parts - พื้นที่ประกอบด้วยส่วนต่าง ๆ
  • demon: an evil spirit - ปีศาจ
  • feasibility: the possibility that something can be achieved - ความเป็นไปได้
  • gambling: the activity of betting money, for example in a game or on a horse race - การพนัน
  • green light: permission to go ahead and do something that you are waiting to do -
  • marina: a place where boats are kept -
  • port: an area of water where ships stop, including the buildings around it - ท่าเรือ
  • potential: qualities that exist and can be developed - ศักยภาพที่จะพัฒนาได้
  • suitable: acceptable or right for someone or something - เหมาะสม

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