upheavals and rumours of a coup in Thailand have not kept gamblers from flocking across the border into Cambodia to try their luck at Poipet's casinos
- From: Chim <ChimS1@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 03:30:27 -0800 (PST)
Gamblers undeterred by turmoil in Thailand
Written by May Kunmakara
Thursday, 04 December 2008
POLITICAL upheavals and rumours of a coup in Thailand have not kept
gamblers from flocking across the border into Cambodia to try their
luck at Poipet's casinos, officials say.
Kong Bunly, deputy director of the Commerce Office in Banteay Meanchey
province, said that tourists are still crossing through to Cambodia in
large numbers.
"People do not seem to care about the border standoff or the
political chaos in Bangkok. People from both countries are busy doing
business."
Since two international airports in Thailand were occupied by anti-
government protestors, thousands of tourists have crossed into
Cambodia by land through Poipet.
Pich Saran, chief of immigration police at the Poipet international
border checkpoint, said that casino traffic has been brisk.
"I don't see the people stopping their business ... Thai people
normally are still coming to gamble. They see this as an inter-
government problem" he said.
Sok Monyreoun, manager of Ho Wah Genting Poipet Casino and Resort,
said that he has only seen a 10 percent drop in business since the
Bangkok airport occupations. He usually receives about 500 to 600
visitors per day.
"About 80 percent of my customers are from Thailand, especially from
Bangkok, and 20 percent are from Malaysia. I expected the chaos to be
more harmful, but the impact seems small," he said.
He added that his casino has started to increase its bus service from
Bangkok, and to offer special deals to new customers in an effort to
boost revenues.
.
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