Thailand’s Casino Bill Set for Parliamentary Discussion by April 9

Thailand’s cabinet has approved the Entertainment Complex Bill, which is to be debated in parliament by next week, but it also faces lots of criticisms.

Thai Cabinet Moves Casino Bill For Discussion in Parliament

The Thai Parliament could discuss the Entertainment Complex Bill, which is aimed at legalizing casino resorts in the country, by April 9. This information comes from the Thai government’s chief whip, Wisut Chainarun. His words follow the cabinet’s approval of the country’s latest Entertainment Complex Bill draft. However, it still needs to pass in the National Assembly.

The bill, a widely debated issue among both politicians and citizens, was approved by the cabinet on March 27. Mr. Wisut, a list-MP for the Pheu Thai Party, stated that the bill’s progression to Parliament is still awaiting confirmation. Mr. Wisut expressed confidence that once the bill reaches the house, it will be given plenty of time for discussion, with strong support from coalition MPs. However, talks with opposition parties have not yet occurred.

Tourism stakeholders, especially those in Phuket, are closely monitoring the bill. Supporting the proposal, they see it as a driver of economic growth. However, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA), proposed an alternative vision—a world-class entertainment hub without a casino, which could attract more family-oriented guests.

According to him, attractions such as a cutting-edge water park, an internationally recognized sports complex, cultural and arts centers, or a lively theme park could further boost tourism. Currently, Phuket captivates tourists with its pristine beaches, drawing them for stays of 5 to 8 days on average.

Some Criticize the Bill

Despite political figures promising the law will soon be passed and industry members expressing support for it, there’s also a growing opposition to the Entertainment Complex Bill. On March 30, a group of about 100 civil society organizations criticized the Thai government, alleging that it rushed the deliberation process for the bill.

In a recent statement, the network criticized the cabinet’s approval of the bill on Thursday last week, just one day after the prime minister survived a no-confidence debate in parliament. Some critics argue that the cabinet rushed the approval because the debate had diverted ministers’ attention, and with it now concluded, they were able to move forward with the decision.

Their primary concerns revolve around the lack of clear guidelines regarding the number of entertainment-casino complexes to be established, their locations, sizes, and target audiences. The government has deliberately left the specifics unclear about how many such complexes will be permitted once the bill becomes law, the organizations stated.

Critics also raised concerns about unchecked authoritative power over licensing, taxation, regulations, and ambiguous legal loopholes. According to critics, these could enable money laundering and financial misconduct, given the current levels of political and bureaucratic corruption, as well as excessive privileges granted to foreign investors.