Thailand's House of Representatives passed a motion on March 28, 2024, approving a study report on opening entertainment complexes (Entertainment Complex) to address illegal gambling and for the country's economic benefit1. The report was completed by a special committee and debated at the receiving stage, with Pheu Thai party-list MP Nanath Hongchuvech speaking in support1.
Nanath said comparisons with neighboring countries that allow only casinos are misplaced, because an entertainment complex is not the same thing. He cited the following figures for 20221:
- The complex contributed 4% of Singapore's GDP
- It employed more than 20,000 local people
- It generated overall revenue of about 440 billion baht
- It drew more than 15 million tourists, with over 4.5 million visiting Marina Bay Sands
- It produced more than 80 billion baht in tax
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat clarified that the study was preliminary and details still needed revision1.
They called on the government to improve law enforcement and reform the police, to state clearly the size and number of casinos, target areas and target groups, and to publish all study results openly. They said the government should put the matter to a referendum to hear the views of the whole country, arguing that legal casinos are a complex source of vice that cannot be decided by consulting only part of the public1.
"สภาผู้แทนราษฎรได้มีมติเห็นชอบรายงานผลการพิจารณาศึกษาเรื่องการเปิดสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร"
He said the casino area must not exceed 10% of the total space, and that investment in Bangkok must start at 100 billion baht1.
Royal Sport Complex Co., Ltd. (RSC) is the company assigned to drive the project, which would include a horse racing track, a museum building, a business center, a hospital, a horse learning center and an international elderly hospital1. General Chamlong Boonkraphue, chairman of the club's board, said construction would take no more than two years1.
What it means for players
No casino has opened in Thailand. The House vote approved a study report, not a law, and the deputy finance minister described the work as preliminary1. Gambling in Thailand remains governed by existing rules, and the report's recommendations on operator qualifications, taxation and impact mitigation have not been enacted1. The 99 academics who objected asked for a national referendum before any move forward, so the timeline for any legal casino is unresolved1. For now, the practical situation for locals, expats and visitors is unchanged.
What happens next
The academics' statement calls on the government to publish all study results openly and to hold a referendum before proceeding1. Thaksin's remarks indicate the policy is expected to continue under the government led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra1. The Royal Siam Haven project's construction timeline of no more than two years was stated by the club chairman, but no start date has been reported1.
