The Entertainment Complex Act in Thailand will legalize casinos, amidst growing opposition. Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed that the plan would lead to "significant social problems".
At a recent meeting about the government's gambling plan, Abhisit (who served as the Prime Minister of Thailand from mid-2008 to 2011) advised legislators to think twice before legalizing both physical and online casinos.
He described gambling as a "significant social problem" that negatively affects gamblers, their families, and society at large. He warned that casinos in Thailand could attract criminals and increase the threat of money laundering.
Speaking of the plan, Abhisit said: "It's dangerous. Especially online gambling, which can increase household debt and thereby increase crime rates, bringing negative impacts to society."
Supporters argue that the "entertainment complexes" with casinos will enhance Thailand's appeal as an international tourist destination, create tens of thousands of new jobs, and regulate the currently thriving underground gambling industry.
It will also attract international investment. Many multinational gambling operators have already established branches in Thailand, including Las Vegas Sands Corp., Galaxy Entertainment, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and Genting Malaysia.
Julapun Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, estimates that these tourism complexes could bring in up to 220 billion Thai Baht (5 billion GBP / 6.2 billion EUR / 6.4 billion USD) in tourism revenue and increase GDP by up to 5%.
Abhisit is one of the increasingly vocal opponents of the bill, which is being rushed through the legislative channels to stimulate the sluggish economy.
Last month, the Thai Cabinet approved the bill "in principle," but it is subject to further review and revision. The bill has now been submitted to the Council of State (COS), the government's advisory body, which has expressed reservations about its content.
Lawmakers say the current bill focuses on the gambling industry while neglecting broader tourist attractions. COS Secretary-General Pakorn Nilprapunt opposes the rapid advancement of complex legislation.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said that legislators should do a good job with public relations.
"This issue is relatively new here, so we need to explain it clearly," she said last month. "If we can ensure transparency, it will benefit the country. Relevant ministries will address the details, ensuring everyone understands the full picture."
"One of the worst pieces of legislation"
So far, the public and many opposition MPs remain skeptical.
Last month, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome told the Post that the bill's scrutiny of anti-money laundering (AML) was insufficient. "Unscrupulous Chinese businesses use Thailand as a base for illegal activities," he said, "but the government lacks clear measures to combat them."
Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan called the bill "one of the worst pieces of legislation ever. It has nothing to do with economic growth but opens the door to unregulated legalized gambling."
The Phuket News reported in January, citing a source close to the National Economic and Social Development Council, that the economic benefits of casinos might be exaggerated, as gambling revenue does not contribute to production.
A recent survey by the Gambling Research Center found that half of the 8,000 respondents opposed legal casinos. The country's Stop Gambling Foundation (SGF) has launched a petition campaign for a national referendum on the measure. As of January, SGF Secretary-General Thanakorn Komkris told the Bangkok Post that the petition had collected 70,000 signatures.
Healthcare experts added that online gambling poses a special risk to young people. The Thai Daily quoted the director of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Pongthep Wongwatcharapaiboon, saying that over 4 million Thai youths and young adults are "addicted to gambling," posing threats to their mental and financial health.
He added that this dependency creates a domino effect. "One gambling addict affects 10 to 17 people around them."
Full speed ahead
Despite opposition, the government says there is no need for a national referendum, as legal gambling was a key part of Sinawatra's campaign.
When asked about the referendum, another former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said: "No, it's not necessary."
The current Prime Minister's father, the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, stated that these complexes would provide a complete tourist experience, including hotels, restaurants, retail corridors, theme parks, and concert venues.
"Like in Singapore, the casino will occupy less than 10% of the space," he added. He also said that these complexes would help address Thailand's debt crisis and the economy still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thaksin said: "People often find that when they reach into their pockets, all that's left are IOUs."
Secretary-General Prommin Lertsuridej indicated that the bill could become law within seven to nine months. The first resorts might open in 2029.
The draft requires resorts to be established in five locations: two in Bangkok, and one each in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Over time, legislators might approve up to 20 such resorts nationwide.
