Thai IR bill review concludes, public consultation to end March 1st

The Council of State, Thailand’s legal advisory body, has wrapped up its review of the Entertainment Complex Business Act, paving the way for an online public hearing that will continue until March 1st.

This process allows stakeholders to voice their opinions before the bill is presented to parliament.

According to The Bangkok Post, Atavit Suwanpakdee, the chairman of the advisory board to the Minister of Industry, noted that while some amendments were made, including a stipulation that casinos can only occupy 10 percent of an entertainment venue, uncertainties remain regarding the number and locations of these complexes.

He emphasized the need for clear definitions of size and proportion and stressed the importance of measures to mitigate issues like gambling addiction.

The bill proposes that an entertainment complex could host various businesses, such as hotels, shopping centers, theaters, and casinos. It also mandates that the casino area must be physically separated from other establishments, with identity checks at entrances.

Thanakorn Khomkrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, expressed concerns over the bill’s governance, likening the legislative process to “writing a blank check.” He questioned the balance of strictness in the proposed law.

Chittawan Chanagul, an economics lecturer at Kasetsart University, warned that legalizing casinos in developing nations can lead to social and economic challenges, including increased crime rates. She referenced studies indicating that countries like the Philippines have faced significant issues, including robberies and extortion, following the legalization of casinos.

Additionally, concerns about human trafficking and forced labor associated with casino operations were raised. Chittawan cautioned that corruption and ineffective law enforcement could exacerbate these problems, hindering economic growth.

In response, various groups, including the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, have submitted a petition against the bill to the Council of State.

The country’s opposition is set to file a no-confidence motion against the government on February 27th, with the Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) vowing to target the administration’s controversial entertainment complex policy, which it claims is a disguised effort to legalize casinos.