The future of legislation to legalize casino resorts in Thailand remains uncertain following the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
On Tuesday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a key supporter of legalizing casino resorts, as she faces an ethics investigation.
The relatively new premier, who has been in office for less than a year, is under scrutiny for allegedly favoring Cambodian leader Hun Sen in a way that may have undermined Thailand’s military interests.
Starting with a border skirmish
In May, a clash between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted along a disputed stretch of the border near the Emerald Triangle, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Tensions escalated further after a recorded conversation from 15 June surfaced between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. In the 17-minute exchange, Paetongtarn criticized a Thai army commander’s handling of the incident, remarking that he “just wants to look cool” and warning that the officer “says things that are not beneficial to the nation.” She emphasized a desire for peace, saying, “What we want is to have peace just like before any clashes happened at the border.”
Referring to Hun Sen as “uncle,” Paetongtarn added, “If you want anything, just tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”
The leaked conversation provoked widespread outrage across Thailand. Thousands of protesters gathered outside Government House in Bangkok, demanding her resignation. A recent Bangkok Post poll reported her approval rating had dropped sharply to just 9.2%.
While Paetongtarn issued an apology, she defended the remarks as a strategic move. “It was a negotiation tactic,” she stated, describing her approach as “political theatre” rather than an indication of allegiance.
Should she be removed from office, Paetongtarn would become the fifth Thai prime minister in 16 years to be forced out. Her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was himself deposed in a 2006 military coup.
Casino legislation on the back burner
Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill, a major initiative championed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, now faces uncertainty amid the ongoing political crisis.
The proposed legislation aims to legalize up to five integrated casino resorts in key regions including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chonburi. The measure has drawn interest from six international gaming companies, among them three of Macau’s current concessionaires: Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, and MGM Resorts International.
Despite strong industry interest, the bill has also sparked significant public concern. Critics warn that legalizing casinos could fuel vice, organized crime, and a rise in gambling addiction. In June, a coalition of civic organizations submitted a petition with nearly 54,000 signatures to the Election Commission, calling for a national referendum on the issue.
With Paetongtarn’s political future in doubt and Thailand contending with looming U.S. tariffs, momentum for the bill appears to be slowing. A scheduled House debate on the proposal, initially set for July 3, has already been postponed by at least a month.
Adding to the political tension, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed little sympathy for Paetongtarn’s situation. In a televised speech on June 27, he stated, “I hope there will be a new prime minister in Thailand who will come out and solve issues with neighbouring countries, especially with Cambodia.”
