Due to political turmoil and public boycotts, the bill to legalize casinos in Thailand's integrated resorts has been forced to be shelved. Although the government calls it a "strategic pause," its future remains uncertain. The media interviewed local gambling and legal experts to analyze the reasons for the bill's obstruction and the possibility of reconsideration.
This withdrawal stems from the suspension of former Prime Minister Padongdan Sinawatra by the Constitutional Court, and the withdrawal of the Thai People's Party from the ruling coalition, leading to the loss of political support for the bill. The Ministry of Finance emphasized in the withdrawal application that the social impact needs to be reassessed after the cabinet change.
Kok Keng Lau, head of the gambling business at Rajah & Tann Law Firm's Singapore branch, believes that the pause is the result of both political and social factors. The government lacks public education on the benefits of regulated gambling, which has intensified opposition. Public opposition focuses on issues such as gambling addiction, financial crime, and unequal access, with the most controversial being the requirement for Thai citizens to deposit 50 million Thai baht to enter casinos, criticized as elitism, excluding the general public.
Daniel Zheng, a senior consultant and former executive of Genting and Hard Rock groups, pointed out that the lack of political capital is a key issue, and the failure to convey tangible benefits has weakened support. Steven Wolstenholme, a senior board member of integrated resorts and former CEO of Hoi An Resort, attributed public concerns to outdated concepts and cultural burdens, and suggested introducing a dual-layer gambling framework to accommodate both tourists and local players, reducing negative impacts.
Zheng emphasized that the casino economy has huge potential, with Marina Bay Sands in Singapore contributing over one billion US dollars annually, but Thailand is more likely to adopt a hybrid model of the Philippines and Macau. He warned that successfully replicating the Singapore model is not easy.
Deputy Minister of Finance Julapong Amornvivat stated that this is only a postponement, not a cancellation, and it may be restarted in the future when public support increases. However, Lau believes that the possibility of a short-term recovery is low, especially in the context of ongoing gambling disputes on the Thai-Cambodian border. Wolstenholme and Zheng both emphasized that through transparent promotion and public participation, demonstrating employment and tourism benefits, public opinion can be gradually changed.
In conclusion, Zheng pointed out that to break through in regional competition with Singapore and Macau, Thailand must win public trust and prove to investors its capability to establish a well-regulated integrated resort industry.
