A FORMER politician and night business operator today (June 28) posted a message on Facebook urging the government to legalise gambling after implementing liberal marijuana use policy pointing out that all neighbouring countries already have casinos, Naewna newspaper said.
After the policy became effective, possessing and using all parts of cannabis plants, including flowers and seeds, are now allowed. However, extracted content remains illegal if it contains more than 0.2% of the psychoactive ingredient that produces a “high” — tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Mr. Chuwit Kamolvisit, who was once the country’s biggest massage parlour owner, said when he was a teenager he was warned not to try marijuana because it would dull the brain, make one lazy and make it difficult to read books.
However things have changed completely with people now saying cannabis could help improve diabetes and high blood pressure as well as many other diseases.
Businessmen are busy working out new marijuana formulas infusing it into various foods and beverages with villagers also allowed to grow the plant, he pointed out.
Where gambling is concerned, Thais have been doing so since ancient times with there being illegal gambling dens and underground lottery houses across all provinces nationwide, he said.
Police are willing to turn a blind eye on these illegal gambling dens because they get to comfortably enjoy shark fin soup, he mentioned, however when another police unit raids the den that treats them well they are back to eating ordinary food.
Often when gamblers are caught they are only fined a few thousand baht and jailed for 15 days with this being suspended.
As the penalty is not harsh and the benefits enormous, how long will the government let this drag on? He questioned.
His recommendation was for legalising gambling and setting the minimum age for participants with anyone who is interested in opening a casino being allowed to apply.
This will lead to the government raking in large amounts of taxes at a time when it is facing financial difficulties and will also help promote the key tourism industry.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Las Vegas, The Fremont Street Experience. Photo: Zan Ready (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Front Page: Mr. Chuwit Kamolvisit. Photo: Sanook.com
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