Thailand Moves Forward with Casino Plans After Getting Strong Public Support

Thailand’s new government is set to advance its plan to legalize casinos, following strong public backing for the proposal. The move aims to create a large entertainment complex that includes a casino, according to a senior official on Thursday.

Currently, casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand, though underground gaming, soccer betting, and lotteries are widespread. Limited legal gambling options exist, including state-controlled horse races and an official lottery.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that a recent public hearing revealed significant support for the casino proposal, with 80 percent of attendees supporting the proposed casino project.

“We will now adjust the bill based on the feedback, discuss it with our coalition partners, and then submit it to the cabinet for approval,” Julapun was quoted as saying in a report published by Reuters.

Efforts to legalize gambling in Thailand are not new. Previous administrations have attempted to legalize casinos to boost employment, state revenues, and attract more foreign tourists. However, these efforts often faced opposition from conservative groups in the predominantly Buddhist country.

Influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was one of the early advocates for casino legalization. His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was recently sworn in as prime minister. She, along with her predecessor Srettha Thavisin, has championed the current casino proposal. Thavisin was removed from office by a court decision last month.

The proposed bill focuses on creating a broader entertainment complex, with the effective legalization of casinos as a key component. In Southeast Asia, countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, and the Philippines have already legalized casinos, many of which attract Thai and Chinese customers.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party, led by Paetongtarn, has argued that Thailand is lagging behind its regional neighbors in the gaming industry. Thaksin Shinawatra, a major influence on his daughter’s administration, has expressed support for the casino plan, highlighting the potential benefits of regulating and taxing online gambling and formalizing the underground economy.

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