Ministerial Regulation on entertainment complexes published in Royal Gazette

Thailand's Ministerial Regulation prescribing rules and conditions for entertainment complexes B.E. 2568 was published in the Royal Gazette on 6 June B.E. 2568, according to the regulation text¹. The publication appeared in Volume 142, Special Part 211 Ngor of the Royal Gazette¹.

The regulation defines an entertainment complex as a place, building, structure or any other location established for entertainment purposes that is not a gambling house under gambling law, and defines an entertainment venue as a location providing services related to the complex¹. It sets out the licensing framework, the qualifications and prohibitions applying to licensees, and the powers of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior as the competent official¹.

The regulation states that entertainment complexes must be located in areas designated by law and must comply with town planning and building control law¹. It also sets conditions on the location of the complex relative to schools or temples, and requires measures to prevent money laundering and to protect players¹.

The regulation was signed by Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and countersigned by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra¹. It took effect from the day following publication¹.

What it means for players

The regulation is the licensing framework for entertainment complexes that would contain casino floors. It does not itself grant any license or open any venue. The rules on who may enter, what identification is required, and what games are permitted are set out in the regulation, but the specific operating conditions for any individual complex have not been reported.

For locals, expats and visitors in Thailand, the practical position is unchanged until a complex is licensed and operating. The regulation defines the categories of people who may be admitted and the conditions attached, but no venue has been named as licensed under it.

What happens next

The regulation took effect the day after publication¹. No date has been reported for the issuance of any entertainment complex license, and no venue has been identified as operating under the framework.

For more on the legal position, see Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions and Can I Gamble in Thailand?.