Thailand’s bold proposal to develop casino resorts remains on hold, with public support seen as essential for it to move forward. Without the backing of the people, the project is unlikely to progress, leaving its future uncertain.
Just six months ago, Thailand appeared poised to greenlight casino resorts by year’s end. However, public resistance and a political scandal have stalled the initiative. A Thai attorney now suggests that lawmakers could revive the plan—if they are willing to revisit and revise the proposal from the ground up.
Rise and fall of a billion-dollar plan
In March, Thailand’s cabinet approved a draft of the Entertainment Complex Bill, paving the way for the development of up to five casino resorts across the country. The initiative was designed to attract tourists, create jobs, and bring in foreign investment.
Investors—among them several of Macau’s top six casino operators—quickly showed interest, enticed by projected annual revenues ranging from $8 billion to $15 billion. With earnings at that scale, Thailand was poised to overtake Singapore as the world’s third-largest gaming market, following Macau and Las Vegas.
However, the proposal never gained widespread public approval. A survey by the National Institute of Development Administration indicated that as many as 80% of Thais opposed legalized casinos, citing concerns about gambling addiction and rising crime. Well-organized anti-gambling groups held repeated demonstrations outside Government House in Bangkok.
Momentum ground to a halt in June, when a political scandal engulfed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the bill’s most prominent supporter. A leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, following a military clash along the border, caused public outcry. In the conversation, she appeared to side with Hun Sen over her own armed forces.
On July 1, Thailand’s constitutional court suspended Paetongtarn from office. Her future—and that of the casino legislation—now hangs in the balance.
Legislation ‘remains viable’
The future of Thailand’s casino legislation remains uncertain.
Less than a week after the prime minister was suspended, lawmakers pulled the proposed casino bill from parliamentary consideration. Government whip Visuth Chainaroon clarified the move, stating, “We’re not backing down out of fear. We simply want to engage with the public first and address any remaining concerns.”
Bangkok-based attorney Panisa Suwanmatajarn believes that public engagement should have been the government’s top priority from the start
In a special report released on 22 July, Panisa—managing partner at The Legal Co—argued that while the bill made economic sense, “its social and political foundations lacked the strength to endure public scrutiny and ongoing political instability.”
Although the proposal has been shelved for now, Panisa noted that “there is still a viable path for reintroduction, once the political climate settles and broader public agreement is reached.”
She urged lawmakers to consult a wide range of community groups before drafting any future versions of the bill. “Inclusive dialogue, strong legal frameworks, and broad-based stakeholder support must come first to secure lasting success,” she emphasized.
