The Thai government has been active recently on the issue of legalizing casinos. On March 27, the Thai Cabinet passed the draft "Comprehensive Entertainment Center Act (including legal casinos)", planning to incorporate casinos into large entertainment complexes, with the casino area not exceeding 10% of the total area.
The draft aims to attract investment and tourists by legalizing casinos, thereby promoting the development of Thailand's economy and tourism industry. However, the draft imposes strict restrictions on the entry of Thai citizens into casinos, requiring a payment of 5,000 Thai Baht (about 148 USD) for admission and the presentation of a deposit certificate of at least 50 million Thai Baht (about 1.48 million USD).
This move has sparked dissatisfaction among some of the public. On March 27, former member of the Thai House of Representatives and chairman of the "Anti-Dictatorship Democratic Alliance" of the Red Shirt movement, Jatuporn led multiple organizations in a protest rally in front of the Bangkok Government House, opposing the legalization of casinos. Protesters held banners expressing their resistance to the draft.
According to the latest news, the Thai House of Representatives plans to review the casino legalization draft on April 3. This means that the discussion around the legalization of casinos will enter a new phase, and the attention of all sectors of society will be further elevated.
It is worth noting that while promoting the legalization of casinos, the Thai government is also adjusting related policies. For example, the previous requirement that Thai citizens must have at least 50 million Thai Baht in assets to enter casinos was considered too strict, potentially excluding most people. Therefore, the government amended the draft to require Thai citizens to have a three-year tax record to enter casinos.
Overall, the Thai government hopes to boost the economy through the legalization of casinos, but this move has sparked widespread discussion and controversy domestically. As the House of Representatives is about to review the draft, the future policy direction remains to be seen.
