Bangkok: A lecturer from the Department of Economics at Kasetsart University has raised alarms over the potential for increased crime, including murder, if Thailand legalizes casinos without addressing underlying issues such as corruption and structural crime. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chittawan Chanakul, during her presentation at the annual academic conference of the Department of Economics, emphasized the need for integrating criminological analysis with economics to prevent exacerbation of social problems.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Chittawan highlighted examples from several Asian countries, including Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, where legalizing casinos has correlated with a rise in crime. In these nations, casinos often become centers for illegal activities, including wildlife trafficking, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, due to inadequate government control.
Dr. Chittawan pointed out that even in Malaysia, where there is only one legal casino, Genting Highlands, there have been murder cases linked to loan shark activities. These cases often involve extreme consequences such as kidnapping, detention, or murder when gamblers fail to settle their debts.
She further stressed the importance of establishing strong regulatory systems to prevent casinos from becoming central to societal issues rather than economic solutions. Even in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, with robust justice and governance systems, casinos are associated with numerous murder cases.
Dr. Chittawan recounted a particularly harrowing incident in the United States, where a father left his children unattended while gambling at a Las Vegas resort. His negligence resulted in the tragic sexual assault and murder of his 7-year-old daughter. Investigations revealed that child neglect in casino complexes is not uncommon in Las Vegas, echoing concerns previously noted by the Thai prime minister.
In conclusion, Dr. Chittawan urged Thailand to consider comprehensive reforms in security, justice, and anti-corruption systems before proceeding with casino legalization. She stressed the importance of using both criminological and economic analyses to ensure that casinos do not compound existing social issues.