Business as usual at US-sanctioned Golden Triangle casino complex

BANGKOK, Feb 2 (TNA) -- Tourists are taking ferries from northern Thailand to the casino complex of Kings Romans International Investment Co on the Laotian part of the Golden Triangle as usual despite the United States’ sanctions against the Hong Kong-based company. The US Treasury Department announced its sanctions on Jan 30, saying that the business of Kings Romans International Investment in Bokeo province of Laos involved money-laundering and transnational crime. The casino complex stands opposite Chiang Saen district of Thailand’s northernmost Chiang Rai province. Thai and Lao ferries continue to serve visitors between the casino complex and Chiang Saen. Most visitors are Chinese tourists who arrived on chartered flights in Chiang Rai. Some visitors are Thai. Immigration and customs officials check the visitors as usual. Laos granted a 99-year-long concession for Kings Romans International Investment to develop the 10,000-hectare plot. The company started the investment about 10 years ago and planned to build a recreational city there. There are two casino buildings and a new 17-storey hotel is under construction. The company earlier announced to build a hospital, plants, commercial buildings, hotels, farmland and cargo and tourist ports. About 300,000 Chinese tourists visit the casino complex annually. (TNA)