It's time for Thailand to have an entertainment complex housing a casino, sports arena and convention hall, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said yesterday.
To avoid criticism or a negative response from the public on hearing that money would be spent on building a casino, Samak called it an entertainment complex rather than a casino.
He put forward the idea while meeting with officials and representatives from the tourism industry in Chiang Mai last Saturday and talked about the project on his Sunday television programme.
"In other countries in the region, such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore, they've already added a casino as a tourist attraction. For Thailand, we still have nothing similar," Samak told the meeting.
Samak's representative said the project was expected to be built near Suvarnabhumi Airport.
"The complex will feature a casino, sports activities, a shopping mall, hotels, a conference hall and recreational activities," the representative said.
She said Samak wanted to build the complex near the new airport on expectations it would attract more business to eastern Bangkok. Muang Thong Thani, which features huge exhibition halls and residences, is a good example of successful growth due to close proximity to an airport: Don Mueang.
"Being on the other side of Bangkok and near Suvarnabhumi Airport, the complex should act as a magnet for new businesses," she said.
However, a project budget, other details and a timeline have not yet been discussed.
Samak has been pushing the casino project since becoming prime minister.
At the Chiang Mai meeting, Samak also discussed with operators and agencies how to boost tourism in the North.
With the soaring cost of jet fuel, Samak has ordered national carrier Thai Airways International to study the reintroduction of ATR aircraft, in order to provide low-cost services on short domestic routes like Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son.
Moreover, the Chiang Mai Convention Centre, first planned years ago, was reconsidered at the meeting. The government has made a commitment for it to be completed within two years. However, the cost of construction has jumped from the original Bt1.8 billion to Bt2.3 billion.
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