Whilst the Chinese were closing down casinos again in the Myanmar border area, further to the south of Shan State, a good hike from the border area, the local authorities have been encouraging gambling…..
The gambling syndicates have convinced the local government that the revenue from gambling is needed ‘for regional development.’ Laikha Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) sanctioned local leaders to open gambling dens

The local police boss was given the gambling contracts. The gambling bosses had to pay the police who also pay the local army as well as the TPDC, who in turn had to pay other divisions of the army….and so it goes on.

Local villagers were a bit miffed because they were ordered to supply bamboo to build the gambling dens. The locals perhaps benefit little from the ‘community development program’….gambling just being another way to support the big boys.

It’s the locals who suffer,because as well as the regular punters the young men of the villages are tempted and encouraged to gamble and then get into strife losing all they have to support their families.

later mav

Wasn’t I just writing about the pirates in my Seychelles casinos article a few days before Captain Richard Phillips was kidnapped. You should have read my blog skipper!
Glad you’re back safe.

Unscrupulous…they are pirates because they need to survive. Many of us might think ‘how can people behave like that, don’t they have a conscience.’ Well no, after what they have suffered why would they. Unfortunately it happens, it’s life…and death.

In another part of the world of the ‘have nots’ other ruthless operators are at large…..Three years ago the Chinese army crossed the border from Yunnan into Myanmar to close down casinos that were attracting too many Chinese gamblers.
Since then the casinos in the border towns have found their way back with a vengance …and so have the Chinese.

There is little police presence in this area and ruthless gangs (gangs, because operating on their own they might as well cut their own throats).
Two months ago the Chinese army was in there again closing down the casinos and 5,000 Chinese citizens have since left the main township of Maijayang where the authorities, no doubt under pressure from the Chinese army, have declared gambling illegal …again…and implemented some drastic measures such as cutting off the power, water and communications in town.

The warlords run the show here so they must have copped some heavy pressure to kowtow to the Chinese authorities.

Why the sudden crackdown again….because the casino operators, loan sharks, and an assortment of other lowlife, not being content with their gambling revenue had resorted to kidnapping….
Over fifty young people from the north of China had been lured to the casino town in northern Myanmar over the previous few months with promises of work and were tortured by gangs who phoned their parents and demanded money to be paid into bank accounts.
The parents heard their children crying on the phone and saying they were being tortured and were told “their boys would be skinned or their childrens’ fingers would be sent to them”

Still have your fingers? Click once, it’s much easier.

later mav

The famous Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool last Saturday lived up to its testing four and a half mile, thirty fence reputation.
It was anybody’s race a couple of fences from home, and even at the last fence it was neck and neck, but all credit must go to the stable crew that got Mon Mome there and jockey Liam Treadwell who, riding for trainer Venetia Williams, was on his first ‘National’ mount.

On the home run in Liam created a twelve length space between Mon Mome and the runner up at the post.
Carrying 11 stone he was a few pounds better off than some but there were quite a few carrying less, which helps enormously over such a distance. Even so, a handicap supposed is supposed to give all an equal chance in the weight department.
If you were reading the info about the horse you could wonder why the odds stayed out at 100-1 … “Mon Mome is generally a good jumper and has a proven record over this distance.”
Knowing the course is fine if you are a jockey, and some walk the course first to understand it. The horse, unless it’s been there before and has a remarkable memory is faced with the unknown.
Some fences have a take off level higher than the landing level and some visa versa, unseen by the horse until it happens, which must require some degree of mid-air adjustment by the hard working animal when faced with the looming landing height!

It was the bookies day, why don’t try not to let them have another good day this week, go for it

later mav
My Chinese friend asked me when my horse was running,
I said “Two thirty.
He said, “You shouldn’t be here then, you should be at the dentist.”

yea, I know, my jokes are my handicap.

The Seychelles rely on tourism to enhance their island economy. Direct income from tourists stands at around 21%, however and a huge 60% in its foreign exchange service.
Of the 160,000 annual tourists only a very small percentage get attacked and or captured by pirates.
In the past few weeks there has been a fair bit of maritime skullduggery going on around the Somali coast west of the Seychelles.

The pirates appear a little less violent in these waters compared to those in the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca, where captured crews are often disposed of. Mainly because the crews are captured off the Somali coast for ransom, not their ship and possessions, as in the Orient.

Some of the International hotels are here in the Seychelles, and some casinos too for those who can only peak when their adrenalin count is high.

The Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay
Beach Resort Casino is only a short ride from the international airport on Mahé island.
Often billed as theSeychelles’ best casino, this Berjaya resort is one of many belonging to the Berjaya group, with a couple in the Seychelles and some in Malaysia and Singapore.

The casino here has plenty of slots games for the lazy punters, with tables of blackjack, roulette …..and poker for those who can keep a deadpan expression whilst enjoying such beaut surroundings.
On the Seyshelles’ Praslin island there is but one casino, the Casino des Iles, but enough I think for this island offers so much more if you like the water. There are slots and poker games at the Casino des Iles. There are 115 islands of the Seychelles group, so heaps of variety in the water. You may even get to visit a real live pirate crew.

On a downside, because more warships are patrolling the coast off Somalia, their presence is forcing the pirates nearer the Seychelles where they have the 115 islands and their coves to hide in. Safer online eh.

later mav

What do you call a pirate with two arms, two legs and two eyes?………
A rookie.

Police are still looking for Nguyen Thi Hanh, a lady who they suspect was running cruise ship gambling tours out of Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Hanh is a bad lady, already previously convicted for gambling and drug trafficking she is still eluding the cops.

However, Vietnam does have a few land based casinos for tourists, but what about the locals, what do they do? Well, they have it sorted now….. wireless and bankless
First the local punter buys a laptop, then he or she opens an account with a specific online gambling site, then collector comes personally to collect their cash deposit, usually a minimum of $500. The ‘collector’ will also bring the winnings…..they hope.

There have been reports of winnings going astray . Some high rolling punters have a credit line with the online casino but if they fail to pay a debt the heavies move in and take possession of goods to the value of…..or worse, like we see on the movies.
To date none of these shonky online casinos have been caught. As is usual the big bosses usually operate from outside the country’s jurisdiction so only the on-location staff would suffer arrest.

Next door in Cambodia the government is messing casino operators around. Having allowed casinos to open and operate the government are now doing a turnaround . For example the sports betting company Cambo Six, were forced to close their twenty outlets and are demanding compensation from the government.
With these new laws appearing, apparently the police in Phnom Penh are not distinguishing between computer gaming parlors where no money is involved and gambling areas, so they are closing the lot!.

Further west in the north of Myanmar’s Mon State the locals are worrying about increasing casino gambling operations. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are the instigators, having found gambling a good way to fund their cause.
Many local residents are concerned that, poor as they are already many families will be tempted to big $’s and lose everything.

Aren’t you just glad you can relax and open your favourite page

later mav