Many Thai nationals may not be able to attend the proposed casino resorts due to the strict financial requirements outlined in a recent draft of Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill. The draft, which was released on Saturday, proposes new rules requiring Thai nationals to provide confirmation of a sizable bank account before they can visit a casino.
Thais who want to gamble would have to present a bank account statement showing a minimum balance of THB 50 million (US$1.5 million) for at least six months, according to the proposed bill. With a high financial hurdle for regular people, this stringent criterion attempts to control who is allowed entry to the casinos. The majority of Thai citizens would probably be priced out by this policy, which will essentially restrict access to the wealthy, according to Bloomberg.
In comparison, Macau, known for its bustling casino scene, has no such financial restrictions for locals, though it does set a minimum age of 21 for gambling. The latest draft of Thailand’s bill also proposes a minimum age of 20 for Thai gamblers.
Provisions for Entertainment Complexes and Casinos
The amended bill also suggests a limited role for casinos within the entertainment complexes. Under the draft, casinos would make up no more than 10 percent of the overall premises, which is a smaller portion compared to other gaming resorts in the Asia-Pacific region. This change reflects growing concerns over problem gambling and seeks to balance the entertainment offerings.
Moreover, the draft specifies that casinos should have separate entrances from the rest of the entertainment complex, maintaining a degree of separation. The complexes are required to house at least four other types of businesses, such as hotels, amusement parks, or shopping areas, further diversifying the offerings.
Despite the government’s push to liberalize the casino market, the bill faces criticism and opposition. Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recently voiced his concerns, arguing that legalizing casinos and online betting could exacerbate social problems. Additionally, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been cautioned by President Xi Jinping of China regarding the potential social issues stemming from casino legalization, according to a report during her official visit to Beijing.
Public hearings on the revised bill will continue until March 1, after which the proposal will undergo further review by Thailand’s Council of State. The government is expected to finalize the bill by March 6, with the aim of moving it to the House of Representatives for deliberation.
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