Thailand’s Parliament is expected to deliberate on the entertainment complex bill by April 9th, according to Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainarun.
In an update provided on Sunday and reported by the Bangkok Post, Wisut, who also serves as a Pheu Thai list-MP, explained that while the bill received cabinet approval on March 27th, Parliament has not yet been officially notified of its submission timeline.
Wisut indicated that if the bill does not arrive for review on April 3rd, it will likely be considered on April 9th. He assured that sufficient time will be allocated for House deliberation and expressed confidence that coalition MPs will support the bill, though discussions with opposition parties have not yet taken place.
Mixed reactions from tourism sector and activists
The proposed legislation has garnered support from tourism operators in Phuket, who believe it could stimulate economic growth. However, Phuket Tourist Association (PTA) President Thanet Tantipiriyakit suggested that a world-class entertainment venue without gambling facilities would better attract family-oriented travelers.
Thanet proposed alternative projects that could enhance Phuket’s appeal, including a world-class water park, an international-standard sports complex, a cultural and arts center, or a theme park. He noted that tourists currently stay in Phuket for five to eight days, primarily for its beaches, and a well-designed entertainment complex could extend their stays.
He cautioned, however, that casino tourists may not significantly benefit the local economy, as their spending tends to remain within casino premises.
It is worth noting that, according to previous reports, Phuket is one of the selected cities for Thailand’s entertainment complex project, alongside Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Chiang Mai.
Meanwhile, political activist Jatuporn Prompan has voiced opposition, warning that legalizing gambling could lead to social problems, including crime and family issues.
Government confident in project’s viability
In a separate report from the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat expressed strong confidence in the entertainment complex project, citing significant global investment interest.
His remarks came in response to concerns over the global economic slowdown and its potential impact on the project.
Julapun noted that since the government introduced the idea of establishing entertainment complexes, several investors have expressed interest, viewing Thailand as a more attractive destination for casino gambling than many other countries, including Japan.
According to the official, fewer than 10 major global investors are involved in such projects, all of whom are large-scale operators. He emphasized that there is no need to worry about casinos becoming hubs for money laundering or illegal activities, as these projects require investments of hundreds of billions of baht, representing a significant financial commitment. Investors are unlikely to risk engaging in illegal activities that could lead to license revocation.
Thailand holds a distinct advantage over other countries in this sector, Julapun added. The country already attracts roughly 40 million tourists annually due to its natural beauty and well-developed transport infrastructure. The project is expected to further boost Thailand’s economy, alleviating concerns about whether the country can achieve 3 percent growth.
Legislation timeline
Julapun projected that the entire process—from drafting to final approval—will take about a year. Once enacted, a regulatory office will be established, and a Policy Committee will determine suitable locations and the number of permitted entertainment complexes.
Initially, the proposed sites are expected to be state-owned land or government property. The committee will decide on the components of each complex, which may include amusement parks, sports stadiums, or museums to attract tourists.
Each project will require approximately 300 rai (480,000 square meters) of land, with casino space not exceeding 10 percent of the total area or the usable building space, whichever is smaller.
Once the law takes effect, construction can begin within three years. Julapun clarified that Thailand’s model will not follow Las Vegas, which was built in a desert and required massive infrastructure investment. Instead, Thailand will focus on existing tourist hotspots to maximize visitor spending.
