Entertainment Complex Bill
| Entertainment Complex Bill (draft) ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร | |
|---|---|
| File:New Seal of the Royal Command of Thailand.svg | |
| Parliament of Thailand | |
| Territorial extent | Thailand |
| Introduced by | Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party |
| Status: Withdrawn | |
The Entertainment Complex Bill (Thai: ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร) was a proposed law to legalize entertainment complexes, a term for integrated resorts with casinos, in Thailand. The bill was introduced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party.[1] The government claimed that the complexes would attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht. Reaction to the bill was mostly negative and it was officially withdrawn on 9 July 2025.[2]
Background
[edit | edit source]Under the Gambling Act, most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand.[3] The Thai government expected the legislation to reduce illegal gambling, generate revenue and attract investment.[3][4] Some Thai-language forums and media outlets had reported growing interest from international gaming operators, as well as debate among citizens about the long-term social impact of legalized gambling.
Legislative history
[edit | edit source]In September 2024, the Thai government announced it would proceed with plans to introduce casinos, following an online public hearing showing strong support for a "mega entertainment complex" housing a casino.[5][6]
In October 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the draft bill would be submitted to the Cabinet of Thailand for consideration later in the year.[7] According to a study conducted by the Fiscal Policy Office, establishing entertainment complexes is projected to attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht.[7]
On 13 January 2025, the cabinet approved the draft bill,[1][8] and it was sent to Parliament for deliberation.[8]
On 27 March 2025, the cabinet approved another draft, imposing entry restrictions on Thai citizens.[9] The draft would require an entry fee of 5,000 baht and proof of at least 50 million baht ($1.47 million) in bank deposits.[9] Additional restrictions included limiting casino usage to 10% of the entertainment complex space.[9] A preliminary reading of the bill was scheduled for 9 April 2025.[10]
Following public opposition and criticism by the Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob, the bill was postponed until the next parliamentary session, which began on 2 July 2025.[10][11] Deliberation of the bill was planned to be held on 9 July. However, on 7 July, the bill was withdrawn in the aftermath of the Thailand–Cambodia phone call leak scandal which led to the suspension of the Prime Minister.[12][13][14]
Provisions
[edit | edit source]The bill would have required entertainment complexes to be operated by Thai-registered corporations.[4][15] Another proposed amendment would have required that only Thais holding at least 50 million baht would be able to enter casinos.[16]
Reaction
[edit | edit source]On 9 March 2025 the former leader of the red-shirt faction, Jatuporn Prompan, called for a protest against the bill.[17]
The bill faced opposition particularly from Thai Muslims living in Southern Thailand, in part due to resentment of Thaksin Shinawatra and his former government's policies in the region.[18] The Prachachat Party, a member of the current governing coalition, expressed opposition to the bill.[18]
On 9 April, hundreds protested against the bill in front of Thailand's parliament.[18] Approximately 1,200 demonstrators participated, including those from the Network of Students and People Reforming Thailand and the Anti-Casino alliance.[11]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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