Burma opens wider door for gamblers

Thai-Burma Relations

Burma opens wider door for gamblers

Reporter: Hawkeye
Hurt by China's closure of its borders to its lavish gamblers, Burmese authorities have given green light to Thai casino owners in Tachilek to expand their establishments, according to sources in Chiangrai:

"It means there will be sub-contractors who will be running their own operations by paying the big dealers who are already firmly established in Burma, such as the Regina in downtown Tachilek and the Paradise Resort in Monghpong at the Golden Triangle," said a professional card artist in Maesai, Tachilek's Thai twin city in Chiangrai province. "Normally Thais coming to Burma pay 10 baht (now 100 kyat or $0.10 since the new border trade unit took over earlier this month) for entry, but for gambling visitors, it is 200 baht ($5). Rooms in Regina that ordinarily costs Baht 5,000-10,000 per night are free for them throughout their stay."

Due to Chinese restrictions on their blacklisted gamblers, all gambling establishments along the Burma border from north to south: Laiza and Mai Jayan in Kachin State, and Muse, Laokai (Laukkai), Panghsang and Mongla in Shan State are all suffering from reduced income, according to a Chinese born Shan businessman in Dehong prefecture, opposite northern Shan State.

Beijing's closure has not been selective either. "It's borders with Laos, Vietnam and North Korea are also saying no to all of its gamblers," he said. "The reason is the number of crimes and official misappropriations of public funds have been on the rise and the government wants to put a stop to them."

The Regina is owned by Kiatichai Chaichaowarat, former MP from Udon Thani, and the Golden Triangle Paradise Resort by the Phosuthon brothers and Somsak Thepsuthin, who is a minister in the present Thai government.