Phuket Casino Planned

A Thai-Japanese joint venture has announced plans to build a floating ‘International City’ in Phuket Bay. The development will take 10 years to complete, cost 135-billion-baht and include a convention and exhibition centre alongside a resort and an entertainment complex which includes a casino. While gambling remains illegal in Thailand, the government has discussed the possibility of introducing limited and highly controlled gambling which might permit the future casino development. The project will be completed by 2015 and aim to attract 20 million tourists a year.