Despite the apparent unity of the ruling coalition in Thailand, undercurrents are swirling around the "Entertainment Complex Act." The government led by Prime Minister Pei Tongtan of the For Thai Party recently decided to postpone the parliamentary debate on this controversial bill until after July 2, a new session, revealing multiple gambits in Thailand's political ecology.
The Delicate Balance of Political Priorities
The official explanation from the government emphasizes that the postponement is due to the need to address more urgent matters:
Adjustments in US tariff policies towards Thailand
Reconstruction work after the earthquake on March 28
Priority handling of the fiscal year 2024 budget
However, Bangkok political observers note that after Chaichanok Chidchob, the secretary-general of the Thai Proud Party, publicly opposed the casino bill, conservative opposition has risen to a dangerous level. A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) shows that 58% of the population opposes the legalization of casinos, especially with escalating protest activities from Buddhist groups and teachers' associations.
The Fragile Consensus of the Ruling Coalition
Although the top leaders of both parties publicly claim "the coalition is stable," cracks are already showing:
The Thai Proud Party controls key departments such as the Ministry of Public Health, and its grassroots voter base strongly resists the legalization of gambling
The For Thai Party needs to maintain a minimum threshold of 153 seats in the House of Representatives and cannot afford to upset its allies
Both parties have a high overlap in the northeastern vote bank, and any policy missteps could affect the layout of the 2027 general election
Technical Obstacles in the Legislative Process
The Senate has initiated a standard legislative review process:
A 19-member special committee was established on April 23
Plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment over 180 days
Focus on reviewing the balance between social cost accounting (an estimated annual increase of 24,000 problem gamblers) and economic benefits (potential annual tax revenue of 40 billion Thai Baht)
The Anxious Wait of the Industry
The Thai Entertainment Industry Association reveals that 12 international operators, including Genting Group and Melco International, have submitted letters of intent, but are generally concerned:
The legislative window may miss the global entertainment industry investment boom of 2024-2025
The opposition is gathering signatures, preparing to initiate a constitutional review for unconstitutionality
If the For Thai Party loses in the 2027 general election, the project may be permanently shelved
Geo-economic Strategic Considerations
The Thai Chamber of Commerce supporting the bill emphasizes that integrated resorts can create:
Direct employment for 120,000 people
Drive a 30% growth in surrounding tourism industries
Compete against the gambling industries of neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam
The most likely compromise for the bill at present is to establish two pilot sites in Phuket and Pattaya, with strict restrictions on local entry. But as Titinan, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, says: "This is no longer just a legislative issue, but a national proposition testing how Thailand can find a balance between traditional culture and modern economy."
