At the press conference on October 23, Mr. Julapan, the Deputy Minister of Finance of Thailand, announced that the drafting of the bill for the Integrated Entertainment Center (including legal casinos) is progressing smoothly and is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for review within 2024. If approved, the bill will be further submitted to the parliament and may be discussed in the House of Representatives session from December 2024 to April 2025.
Julapan pointed out that this draft will become Thailand's first law regarding the establishment of casinos, aimed at providing a legal framework for the lawful operation of various entertainment venues, similar to the practices of many other countries.
The draft has recently passed a public opinion collection meeting as required by the constitution, and has received up to 82% support.
A study by the Ministry of Finance's Policy Office indicates that if Thailand successfully establishes these entertainment centers, it could attract an additional 5% to 20% of tourists, and increase the average tourist spending from the current 40,000 Thai Baht to 60,000 Thai Baht. Moreover, the construction of integrated entertainment centers will also promote economic growth in Thailand and attract substantial investments.
Julapan also mentioned that once built, the entertainment centers will not only become a popular destination for tourists but will also create job opportunities for local residents. He hopes that the institution will become the largest employer of Thai people and emphasized the need for skill training for relevant personnel to meet industry demands.
