A senior official announced on Thursday that Thailand’s new government is set to move forward with the introduction of casinos, following a public hearing that garnered substantial backing for the establishment of a large entertainment complex featuring gambling activities.
Although most forms of gambling, including casinos, are currently prohibited in Thailand, activities like soccer betting, underground gaming, and lotteries are prevalent in the country.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that 80% of participants in an online public hearing expressed support for a bill proposing the development of a “mega entertainment complex” incorporating a casino.
The government plans to amend the bill based on feedback and hold discussions with coalition partners before seeking cabinet approval.
Previous Thai administrations have made efforts to legalize gambling in a bid to stimulate employment, increase state revenues, and attract more international tourists. However, such initiatives have faced opposition from conservative groups in the predominantly Buddhist nation.
Notably, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, supported by his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra – the current prime minister, advocated for legalizing gambling. The recent casino proposal was championed by Srettha Thavisin, a former ally of Paetongtarn who was ousted from office by a court ruling last month.
The bill primarily focuses on establishing a comprehensive entertainment complex but its approval would effectively sanction the operation of casinos.
In the Southeast Asian region, countries like Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines have legalized casinos, some of which draw significant numbers of Thai and Chinese visitors, particularly on weekend excursions.
Paetongtarn’s ruling Pheu Thai Party has emphasized that Thailand lags behind neighboring countries in the gaming sector. Thaksin, a key figure in his daughter’s government, endorsed the casino proposal during a recent speech, highlighting the potential benefits of regulating online gambling, formalizing the underground economy, and enhancing tax revenues.
