Thailand’s government plans to withdraw a proposed bill that would have legalized casino gambling, following increasing public opposition and political instability that has weakened the ruling coalition. The decision is set to be raised in parliament on Wednesday, replacing an earlier plan to present the bill for debate this week.
The bill, referred to as the entertainment complex proposal, was expected to be a key item on the legislative agenda after the House of Representatives reconvened. However, officials stated that more time is needed to address concerns related to gambling addiction and the risk of money laundering. The withdrawal comes after the coalition suffered setbacks including the departure of the Bhumjaithai Party, which opposed the bill, and the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over alleged ethical misconduct.
The government has signaled it will focus on communicating with the public before moving forward with any such legislation. The political turmoil has raised broader questions about the coalition’s ability to pass key bills in the months ahead, including the national budget set for further readings in August.
The decision is likely to disappoint international investors eyeing the Thai market for integrated casino-resort developments. Several global gaming companies, including Galaxy Entertainment Group, MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, have previously shown interest in bringing large-scale entertainment projects to Thailand. These developments were promoted as a strategy to boost tourism, a sector employing around 20 percent of the Thai workforce and contributing approximately 13 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.
Senior government figures, including Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, had earlier participated in discussions on the proposed project. The controversy surrounding the bill and political uncertainty has now cast doubt on the future of casino development in the country.
