Thailand’s Senate to Debate Anti-Casino Report Opposing Former Administration’s Entertainment Complex Bill

Thailand’s Senate is set to discuss a committee report opposing the previous administration’s casino-entertainment complex bill on Tuesday, September 23. According to updates from the Bangkok Post, the entertainment complex bill, initially advanced under former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was withdrawn in July before it could reach a Cabinet vote.

The anti-casino report under review was prepared by a Senate committee chaired by Senator Veeraphan Suwannamai. The report warns that the proposed casino bill carries serious constitutional, economic, and social risks, concluding that the legislation relies on unproven assumptions and lacks sufficient evidence to demonstrate its suitability for Thailand. The committee argued that casino-based entertainment complexes would produce limited economic benefits, with revenue largely shifting from players to operators rather than generating new wealth. At the same time, the infrastructure investments required for such complexes would impose a significant financial burden on the state.

On constitutional grounds, the report highlights conflicts with several provisions, including Section 3, which obligates state bodies to uphold the rule of law for public benefit, and Section 26, which prohibits legislation inconsistent with established legal principles. The committee also raised concerns over the extensive powers that would be granted to the proposed Entertainment Complex Policy Board, chaired by the prime minister, which would have authority to amend or abolish laws to facilitate casino operations. The report warns that such centralization would bypass accountability and undermine constitutional checks and balances.

The report further details social impacts, citing risks of gambling addiction, family breakdowns, crime, and increased pressure on Thailand’s health system. It also highlights potential vulnerabilities to money laundering and organized crime, raising national security concerns. Additionally, the committee cautioned that legalizing casino complexes could harm Thailand’s international reputation, portraying the country as prioritizing short-term economic gain over long-term sustainable development.

While the committee rejected the bill outright, it outlined three potential scenarios should the government choose to proceed. The first and preferred scenario is abandoning casino legalization in favor of alternative tourism strategies, such as wellness complexes. If the bill moves forward, the committee recommends conducting comprehensive impact assessments with publicly available results, coupled with a national referendum to determine public support for casino legalization. The report asserts that should the plan fail to meet economic projections or effectively mitigate social harms, the government must assume responsibility by providing compensation and remedies.

These recommendations align with the position of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has maintained a firm anti-casino stance since taking office, marking a clear departure from the previous administration’s push for integrated casino resorts. His government has emphasized that tourism development should avoid policies that could jeopardize social stability and national security.

By fLEXI tEAM