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The Senate of Thailand recently formally voted to reject a controversial bill that would have paved the way for integrated entertainment resorts including casinos. The bill, proposed by the government of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, ultimately failed to pass, with senators expressing direct concerns that legalizing casinos could bring unbearable risks to society, the economy, and even national security.
The bill was thoroughly reviewed by a special committee led by Dr. Veerapun Suvannamai. At a meeting chaired by Deputy Senate Speaker Grekai Sirilak, the committee was outspoken: legalizing casinos in the form proposed would lead to endless problems. Legislators warned that it could exacerbate money laundering, erode public trust in the government, and destabilize society.
The committee also emphasized that if the government reconsiders the casino issue in the future, it must be transparent and involve public participation. In other words, at least a national referendum should be conducted first.
Not Completely Denying Entertainment Complexes
However, the opposition left some room for negotiation. Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Senator Songchai Vichaiya Suvannapong, suggested that it is not necessary to completely deny entertainment complexes, but to explore other models. For example:
Entertainment centers without casinos
Strictly restricted gambling areas
Even a controlled online gambling system
He cited the example of a casino in Sydney, Australia, which only allows registered tourists to enter, a model that Thailand could consider in the future.
"Casinos are not a side show, but the main event"
Some senators criticized the bill as "cloaked in entertainment, but actually centered on casinos." Senator Chinnacha Sangsan stated, "Casinos are not ancillary facilities, but the core of the entire proposal." He reminded that if any future government repackages casinos as "entertainment projects," public trust will be severely damaged.
Another senator, Sidi Kong Tongyu, added that recent policy actions—such as reclassifying poker and introducing retirement lotteries—are subtly making Thai society accept gambling. He fears this could lay the groundwork for full legalization and called on the new government to completely abandon the casino plan.
Economic Card vs. Social Risks
The previous government vigorously promoted the casino bill, citing a very realistic reason: Thailand's economy has been slow to recover post-pandemic, needing a new engine. Supporters believe that casino complexes could attract more tourists and contribute about 1% to GDP annually. A 2024 report from Bank of America Securities even predicted that such projects could generate up to 187 billion Thai Baht (approximately $5.14 billion) in revenue each year.
An attractive point for investors is that Thailand's proposed casino tax rate is only 17%, significantly lower than the 25%-40% range in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Macau, making it quite competitive in the region.
However, the Senate Special Committee threw cold water on these projections: the income is merely "wealth transfer," meaning some win, more lose, not real economic growth. Moreover, it would have to bear huge infrastructure and regulatory costs, with risks far outweighing the benefits.
The Political Environment Has Also Changed
The change in the political landscape also determined the fate of the bill. The current Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has been clear in his opposition to legalizing casinos since taking office. His stance is firm: developing tourism is fine, but not at the risk of social and national security. This is completely opposite to the approach of the former Paetongtarn government.
More crucially, with the dissolution of the parliament in four months and upcoming elections, Senator Veerapun emphasized that if any political party really wants to include casinos in their policy platform, they must make it clear during the elections, not sneak it through. With the departure of Paetongtarn, the political support for the bill also collapsed.
The Final Conclusion
The special committee's final report stated bluntly that advancing the casino entertainment complex would bring serious constitutional, economic, and social risks. Short-term economic benefits are far less important than national security, public trust, and social order.
As Senator Chinnacha stated, "If the new government includes casino legalization in its policy platform, it is undermining public confidence and the foundation of long-term governance."
In a word, the attitude of the Thai Senate is very clear: developing tourism and the economy is possible, but the casino route, at least for now, is a dead end.
