Financial pressures should ensure that Thailand IR bill will pass – Analyst

Thailand’s government will most likely move to the end with new gaming legislation as financial pressures mount, a political risk analyst for the Thai National Security Council told AGB.

Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill, which includes provisions for legalizing casinos, has faced delays due to mounting opposition and shifting government priorities.

Initially expected to move forward in the latest parliamentary session, the bill was postponed as the government focused on urgent matters, including the aftermath of a recent earthquake and new U.S. tariffs.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra clarified that the bill has not been withdrawn but will be reconsidered in the next legislative session, scheduled for July 2025. Some legal analysts, however, told AGB that the final vote in the Lower House could now take place between September and October.

The government aims to refine the bill and address public concerns, particularly the perception that it solely focuses on casino legalization rather than broader entertainment and tourism development.

“Considering our financial pressure right now, the government is in immediate need of additional revenue. The bill will pass”, a security analyst with the Thai government – who asked to remain anonymous – told AGB.

He described that the Thai legislative process begins with the drafting and review of the bill by relevant government agencies, followed by its submission to the Cabinet for initial approval. If endorsed, it will move to the National Assembly, where it will undergo three readings.

“During the first reading, members debate the bill’s principles and decide whether to accept them. The second reading involves a detailed examination by a committee, which may propose amendments. Finally, the third reading focuses on voting for the bill’s passage,” explained Panpin.

Step by step

This legislation, which pertains to entertainment complexes, is expected to involve consultations with stakeholders in tourism, urban planning, and economic development, with Panpin underlining that the Cabinet’s decision will be influenced by projected economic benefits, alignment with national development plans, and public sentiment.

“If approved, the bill could face scrutiny in the National Assembly, particularly regarding its implications for local communities and regulatory frameworks,” the government security risk expert added.

According to his view, political dynamics, including the priorities of the ruling coalition and the views of opposition parties, may also affect the bill’s progress, as external factors such as regional economic trends and international tourism policies could shape its trajectory.

The bill, which received cabinet endorsement last month, proposes that casinos be incorporated within integrated entertainment complexes, occupying no more than 10 percent of the premises.

The legislation also suggests strict entry requirements for Thai citizens—including proof of THB50 million ($1.5 million) in bank deposits—to combat gambling addiction among locals.

While Paetongtarn’s administration had been pushing for the bill to pass this year, it has faced criticism from opposition parties and numerous civil and religious groups fighting gambling addiction among Thais.

Thai finance ministry officials have previously stated that each entertainment complex would attract around THB100 billion ($2.9 billion) in investment and create approximately 20,000 jobs.

They estimate that foreign tourist spending could increase by 40 percent per trip, boosting growth in an industry that employs one in five Thais and accounts for roughly 13 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.