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Published on March 4, 2008

"The premier should never encourage vice. To claim that many Thais gamble does not

provide an excuse for the government to legalise gambling," Khon Kaen University lecturer Sompan Techa-atik said yesterday.

He insisted the government had the duty to eradicate negative things and promote positive things, not to legalise something that is bad.

"By legalising gambling, more people will go astray and lose their ethics," Sompan said.

During his weekly radio and television programme on Saturday, the prime minister said he was going to legalise gambling but did not elaborate on whether the legalisation would cover casinos and small gambling dens. Sompan yesterday complained that the government's move to legalise gambling would show it was concerned only about money.

"Even though many countries have opened casinos, Thailand doesn't need to follow. If it's against ethics, why should Thailand do it?" the university lecturer added.

Phra Ratchapariyatsopon, a senior chief monk in Khon Kaen, said it was extremely inappropriate for the government to legalise gambling.

"Gambling is against Buddhism precepts and will lead Thai youths astray," the monk said, "Please think carefully before you make such decision".

PM's Office Minister Jakra-pob Penkair yesterday explai-ned that Samak's idea was not yet a government policy.

"The government has the duty to present new ideas. After that, experts will review those ideas and we will listen to people's opinions," Jakrapob said.

He said the government would consult people about whether gambling should be legalised.

Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee also said the government would listen to the opinions of various parties before coming to any conclusion.

"We will consider the social impacts as a matter of course," he said.

The Nation