Casino Legalisation in Thailand Stalled as Senate Votes No

Thailand has taken a step back from casino legalisation after the Senate rejected the lapsed entertainment complex bill, according to a Wednesday report from the Bangkok Post. The draft law, viewed as the enabling measure for integrated resort development, was criticised for posing social risks while offering little real economic value.

Good to Know

• A Senate panel concluded the bill could encourage money laundering and reduce public trust.
• Any future attempt at casino legalisation should involve a national referendum.
• The House of Representatives had already withdrawn the bill in July by cabinet request.

The rejection followed debate over a report prepared by a special Senate panel assigned to study the entertainment complex proposal. The panel concluded that passing the bill could increase financial crime, particularly money laundering, and harm confidence in government institutions. It argued that projected economic benefits were overstated and would not justify the potential costs.

The panel further recommended that any new attempt at legalising casinos in Thailand must include public consultation. A national referendum was suggested as the most appropriate tool to gauge public support for such a major policy change.

Panel chair Veerapun Suvannamai stated that any political party planning to back casino legalisation should declare its position clearly during campaigns. With parliament expected to dissolve in four months under a political agreement between the Bhumjaithai Party and the opposition People’s Party, the issue could return during the upcoming campaign season.

Thailand’s House of Representatives voted in early July to withdraw the entertainment complex bill at the request of the cabinet. The measure had been introduced under the administration of former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a Pheu Thai Party leader.

Shinawatra was suspended on July 1 and formally removed from office in late August after the Constitutional Court ruled she committed ethical violations.

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