I. A Century of Prohibition: Tradition and Legal Persistence (1855-1990)
Thailand's gambling policy is rooted in Buddhist cultural traditions, with gambling explicitly prohibited since the era of King Rama IV in 1855. The Gambling Act of 1935 criminalized all forms of gambling except for the state lottery and horse racing, with violators facing up to one year in prison and a fine of 1,000 Thai Baht. This strict policy remained unchanged throughout the 20th century, even during the Vietnam War when the presence of U.S. troops in Thailand created a significant demand for gambling, the Thai government continued to enforce the ban.
II. Breaking the Ice in Border Special Zones (1991-2010)
As neighboring countries developed their gambling industries, Thailand began to see a relaxation in policy:
1992 Rise of casinos on the Myanmar border: Casinos targeting Thais emerged in border cities like Mae Sot
2003 Thaksin government proposal: First proposal to establish an entertainment complex on the Thai-Malaysian border
2009 after the Red Shirt protests: The Abhisit government studied the legalization of gambling to increase tax revenue
Although legalization was not achieved during this period, the number of underground casinos surged. Thai police data indicates that more than 2,000 illegal gambling dens were raided annually between 2005 and 2010, with actual numbers possibly five times higher.
III. Realities of the Tourism Economy (2011-2020)
Competition in the tourism industry prompted a policy shift:
2016 military government study: Prime Minister Prayut established a special committee to assess the feasibility of Integrated Resorts (IR)
2018 pressure from neighboring countries: Cambodia's gambling revenue reached $530 million, mainly from Thai visitors
2019 first legislative attempt: The draft Integrated Entertainment Act was submitted to parliament but shelved
A critical turning point occurred in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, as Thailand's tourism revenue plummeted by 83%, and the Ministry of Finance estimated that legal gambling could generate an annual tax revenue of 30 billion Thai Baht.
IV. Acceleration of Legalization Process (2021-2024)
Current government making substantial progress:
2022
House of Representatives passed the IR feasibility study
Proposed sites include Pattaya, Phuket, and three other tourist cities
Regulations state that casino areas must not exceed 10% of the entertainment complex
2023
The cabinet approved the draft Integrated Entertainment Center Act
Established a deposit threshold of 50 million Thai Baht (approximately 10 million RMB)
Public opinion polls show a support rate of 61%
March 2024
The bill submitted to parliament for review
Plans to build the first integrated entertainment city by 2030
Expected to create 50,000 jobs
V. Controversies and Challenges
Religious resistance: The Buddhist Council has organized multiple anti-gambling marches
Criminal risks: The National Police Agency warns of potential increases in money laundering cases
Social division: The deposit threshold criticized as "serving only the rich"
Research by the Thailand Development Research Institute shows:
52% of the public is concerned about worsening gambling problems among youth
78% support strict restrictions on local entry
65% believe priority should be given to developing other tourism formats
Conclusion: A Cautious Path of Reform
The legalization of gambling in Thailand essentially represents a compromise between traditional culture and modern economic needs. Unlike Singapore's elitist model or Cambodia's unchecked growth, Thailand is attempting to navigate a "limited opening, strict control" middle path. As the final parliamentary vote approaches, this 30-year policy struggle is about to reveal its outcome, which will not only affect Thailand's social structure but also reshape the tourism economic landscape of Southeast Asia.
