Mae Sot, a western Thailand city located on the border with Myanmar, could become home to a new casino complex as part of a push to prevent illegal gambling and boost the region’s economic prospects.
The potential project is one of a number being examined by a local committee examining the feasibility of opening regulated casinos in Thailand, as well as by local authorities.
Although it would serve a different purpose than other possible casino projects being considered for major Thai cities like Bangkok and tourism hotspots such as Pattaya and Phuket, local agencies see development of an integrated resort-style complex in Mae Sot as an opportunity to compete with a similar development across the border in Myanmar.
IAG had the opportunity to visit Mae Sot and the nearby border casinos in Myanmar back in 2013 and even at that time there were around 10 Mae Sot-facing casinos just over the border in Myanmar, many of which were long-established even then, nearly a decade ago.
According to a report by The Bangkok Post, the committee believes Mae Sot is “almost ready” to host such a facility given recent upgrades to cargo transport and immigration checkpoints. A new four-lane road connecting the district to the Myanmar border has also been completed.
Vice-chairman of the committee, Boonlue Prasertsopar, said the project is part of the government’s push to develop an economic corridor along the border. It is also reported that residents have broadly welcomed the proposal after seeing the rapid economic development since a similar project was completed across the border.
The committee, which is yet to complete its study despite previously indicating it may be wrapped up by May, is expected to submit its findings on the Mae Sot proposal shortly.
As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, the Thai government is examining the potential for developing one or more integrated resorts with a casino, with the goal of attracting more foreign visitation and boosting the local economy.
It is not yet known how many casino-resorts could be legislated for should such a scenario eventuate, although the capital city of Bangkok is considered the number one location for such a development.
The 60-member committee, comprising 15 cabinet representatives and 45 from other parties, has examined issues such as revenue and tax collection, how to deal with Thailand’s illegal underground casinos and online gaming.
Thailand remains one of only three ASEAN nations without legal casinos, alongside Indonesia and Brunei, although it has been estimated that as many as half of its adult population gambles via illegal means. With a population of almost 70 million, Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country.
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