Thailand establishes new house committee to study prospect of legal casinos

The committee, established after Thailand recently appointed the Pheu Thai Party’s Srettha Thavisin as its latest Prime Minister under a new coalition government, is different from the one formed under the previous government and which compiled a report proposing the establishment of integrated resorts with casinos in various locations across the country.

It remains unclear whether the new committee will take the proposal of its predecessor on board or start afresh, potentially undermining progress made in recent years.

The motion to establish a new panel has, however, been supported by MPs from various political parties according to The Bangkok Post, who argued that significant tax income was being lost due to Thai citizens travelling internationally to gamble. It was also noted that establishment of legal casinos in Thailand could lead to the collapse of border casinos in neighboring countries like Cambodia, again redirecting citizens to spend their entertainment dollars domestically.

As previously reported by IAG, the previous house committee’s report was approved by the House of Representatives in January, paving the way for the government to initiate a more in-depth study of the economic benefits of such a move.

The report recommended the development of legalized casinos within broader entertainment complexes in up to five locations nationwide, with Bangkok and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) – which includes the likes of Pattaya and Rayong – named as the most suitable locations.

It also called for casino areas to comprise no more than 5% of the total IR floor space, with the remainder to incorporate attractions such as five-star hotels, shopping malls, beauty and spa parlours, amusement parks, zoos, and indoor and outdoor sports stadiums.

Entry to casinos would be open to foreigners and locals of 21 years and above although the latter would need to show that they held at least THB500,000 (US$15,000) in their accounts for the previous six months.