Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, has reaffirmed his support for the legalization of entertainment complexes in Thailand that have incorporated casinos. He underlined that licenses for casino operations would only be awarded through an open bidding process when speaking over the weekend in Nakhon Phanom.
“The truth is the licence will be given out by means of open bidding in which any interested parties could compete,” Thaksin stated. He added that bidders would need to highlight the benefits their proposals would bring, particularly in tourism and tax revenue.
The father of current Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin is described by The Bangkok Post as the “de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.” According to his vision, Thailand’s entertainment complex strategy will create about 20,000 employment per location, paying employees at least THB20,000 (about $580) per month.
Details Emerge on Entertainment Complex Bill
The Thai government has accepted the Entertainment Complex Bill in principle, and it will soon be delivered to the House of Representatives for consideration. According to government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub, this procedure might take roughly half a year.
According to reports, Khlong Toei in Bangkok and U-Tapao near Pattaya are two possible places for these complexes; these areas are thought to be advantageous for investors. A minimum of 48 hectares (118.6 acres) should be covered by each site.
High-end hotels with at least 5,000 rooms, international conference centers, world-class concert halls, shopping malls, duty-free stores, and amusement parks are among the amenities that are planned for these complexes. Thaksin has emphasized, meanwhile, that gaming would take up less than 10% of the overall area.
While some, like Thaksin, argue that the policy would significantly boost employment and economic growth, others remain skeptical. Alongkorn Ponlaboot from the Democrat Party labeled gambling as “vice,” reflecting domestic opposition to the plan.
Despite these concerns, Thaksin dismissed the need for a national referendum, stating it was unnecessary.
As the bill progresses, Thailand’s potential shift toward legalized casino operations could reshape its tourism and entertainment industries.
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