Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill drags its feet

After the enormous U-turn with regard to the legalisation of cannabis in Thailand, now the country’s Entertainment Complex Bill, which has already stalled on its way to parliament in the past, is sparking controversy as it’s being granted a special senate review. These latest developments could mean moving forward with legislation as late as next year or the one after.

Thailand is on the brink of a major shift in its gambling policy as the Senate prepares for a special session to debate a landmark casino bill. The proposed legislation could legalize casino operations in designated areas, aiming to stimulate economic growth, attract foreign investment, and reduce the outflow of gambling revenue to neighboring countries. Supporters argue that a regulated casino industry would create jobs and provide much-needed tax income, while critics warn of potential social consequences.

As discussions unfold, interest in legal and regulated gambling continues to grow both locally and abroad. While the outcome of Thailand’s casino legislation remains uncertain, those eager to explore the world of gambling in a safe and accessible way can, in the meantime, find tested no deposit bonus codes online at NoDepositFan – a convenient option for testing out online casino platforms without using one’s own funds.

A Quick Recap

In the case that you might have not been following, the legislation passed in Thailand’s cabinet last month has been opposed by the public. Last week, over 1,200 people gathered in the capital of Bangkok dressed in white to protest the bill that would allow for the legalization of five casino resorts across the country. In another recent protest, over 300 motorcyclists rode from the Government House to the parliament to demand lawmakers scrap the controversial plan.

To appease the situation, Senator Sorachat Wicahaya Suwanphrom proposed the panel which happened in April. In this case, it should take around 180 days to review, however matters could be delayed up to the end of 2027 despite already having been approved in parliament last January with the prospects of estimated gross revenues amounting to trillions of baht.

A Quick Recap

Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Tai’s secretary general, reprimanded the media for promoting the casino aspect of casino resorts, claiming that the project was tailored “to draw investors and generate revenue,” he stated. Peatongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s Prime Minister disparaged the political game that’s fuelling current protests, claiming that in fact “legal casinos would only be allowed to operate across 10% of the designated entertainment complexes, rather than across the entire country as some have falsely claimed.”

She then added that her primary goal as Prime Minister is to boost the local economy which is still exhibiting signs of distress following the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Thailand welcomed 35.6 million tourists which indicated a 34% increase from the previous year, but still almost half a million short of the 40 million goal that had already been set.

Is This the Beginning of the End?

A headline in the Asia Sentinel last month expressed a casino operator’s worst fears when it described the situation as a ‘possibly fatal roadblock’. According to this report, Thailand’s draft law might be in serious trouble with the bill being constantly attacked by other politicians as well as being received with relative indifference from the public despite being backed, by Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s kingmaker and political godfather, and the Prime Minister’s father.

As we’ve seen in other jurisdictions, the legislation of gaming is never an easy landscape, with various parties offering opposing views and vested interests. This latest slowdown provides the country with an opportunity to settle on the model that will provide the maximum interest, while compromising with regards to a regulatory system that supports these efforts. Nevertheless, critics in Thailand are extremely keen on killing this bill.

“We plan on completely halting the legislation of casinos in Thailand, not just seeing this bill being delayed,” announced Pichit Chaimongkol, a member of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, and one of the leading protesters outside parliament. Another outspoken critic from the Thai Pakdee party, Dr Warong Detkitvikrom noted that “should the government keep challenging the people, there might never be another parliamentary session.” With that in mind, we cannot help but wonder where the future of Thai gaming legislation is heading but look forward to the updates that will follow over the next couple of months.

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Adam Regan: Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

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