Thai Government Drops Casino Proposal for Now

The push to legalize casinos in Thailand has hit a wall. The government now plans to pull its casino bill from parliament, backing off after rising public pushback and new political troubles. The move, reported by the Bangkok Post on Monday, comes just days before the proposal was due for debate in the House.

Good to know

• The casino bill was expected to be a major legislative priority this session.
• Bhumjaithai Party’s exit from the coalition added pressure on the government.
• Major global casino firms had already shown interest in Thai resort developments.

Chief government whip Visuth Chainaroon confirmed that the withdrawal motion will be raised on Wednesday. That is when the bill, often called the “entertainment complex” proposal, was originally scheduled for discussion. “We’re not pulling it out of fear or anything,” he told reporters. “We’d just like to communicate with the people first on the issue and clear any lingering doubts.”

The government had hinted earlier that it would delay the bill, saying it needed more time to explain its intentions and listen to concerns. The backlash centered on worries about gambling addiction, organized crime, and potential money laundering.

Meanwhile, the political landscape shifted quickly. The ruling coalition has been rocked by the departure of the Bhumjaithai Party, one of its key allies. The party had publicly opposed the casino plan. On top of that, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended due to an ethics investigation, adding to the government’s instability.

Ms. Paetongtarn is also dealing with legal fallout after a leaked phone call surfaced. In the call, she criticized the Thai military’s involvement in a tense border standoff with Cambodia, speaking to former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. That conversation has since triggered sharp criticism.

Without a stable majority, the government may find it tough to pass any contentious laws in the coming months. The national budget, set for a second and third reading in August, could also face delays or hurdles.

The casino bill was not just about gambling—it was pitched as a tourism booster. The idea was to allow foreign companies to build large integrated resorts combining hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues. Tourism accounts for about 13% of Thailand’s GDP and provides jobs to around 20% of the population, so the government framed the bill as a way to bring in more investment and visitors.

Some of the biggest names in global gaming had already shown interest. Companies like Galaxy Entertainment Group, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and Wynn Resorts had been watching developments closely, hopeful for a chance to expand into Thailand.

With the bill now sidelined, those ambitions are likely to be put on hold.

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