Thailand Opposition Party Requests Government Fold on Casino Push
Posted on: July 3, 2025, 09:25h.
Last updated on: July 3, 2025, 10:31h.
- Government opposition in Thailand wants the casino bill canned
- Government continues to consider the authorization of casino resorts
- Bangkok would be designated for two of the five casinos
Opposition parties in Thailand are calling on the government to ditch its plans to authorize casino resorts.
With Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at least temporarily relieved of her duties as an ethics probe into her June 15 call with a Cambodian official continues, the People’s Party, the largest component of the opposition in the National Assembly with 143 seats, is calling on the controlling Pheu Thai and its aligners to fold on their Entertainment Complex Bill.
Attempts to liberalize casino gambling in Thailand face much public opposition. Shinawatra has nonetheless made it a pillar of her early premiership to diversify Thailand’s tourism market, an industry that welcomed 35 million foreigners to the country last year.
Tourism Remains Down
Tourism is a key component of the Thai economy, but the sector remains suppressed from pre-COVID-19 conditions. However, 2024 marked a 15% year-over-year increase in visitor traffic.
Tourism spending in 2024 amounted to approximately $42.7 billion, a post-pandemic peak, but still 23% below 2019 when visitors spent $55.3 billion while vacationing in Thailand. Shinawatra and Pheu Party leaders say casinos would assist in returning Thailand’s tourism sector to full health and new highs.
The Entertainment Complex Bill, which was recently shelved in the wake of the prime minister’s leaked phone call in which she seemingly criticized the Thai army, would allow two casinos in Bangkok and a casino each in the cities of Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
The government holds a slim majority in the National Assembly with 253 of the 500 seats. The government’s power diminished with the Bhumjaithai exiting the coalition last month after becoming at odds with Shinawatra over her phone call remarks.
Public opposition to the casino legislation includes civic groups and organizations that work to stop problem gambling.
Most gamblers are heads of households. When addiction takes hold, the entire family suffers,” said community leader Naiyana Yonjorhor, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Currently, the only legal forms of gambling in Thailand are the government-operated lottery, parimutuel wagering on horse races, and certain charitable small games of chance.
Still, underground gambling hubs are widespread. While persons who participate in illegal gambling rings rarely face prosecution, the operators behind the criminal enterprises have recently faced more scrutiny from the government.
Persons found guilty of running illegal gambling businesses face fines of up to 200K baht (US$6,200) and 10 years imprisonment.
Economic Downturn
The opposition’s calls on the Thai government to fold on the casino bill come as the World Bank cut the country’s growth outlook. The intergovernmental organization predicts that Thailand’s economic growth will slow to 1.8% this year and to 1.7% in 2026.
The downward projections come due to global and domestic headwinds, including weaker exports and tourism. Arrivals from China continue to decline, which is most impacting the Thai tourism industry.
The World Bank says many Chinese people remain uneasy about traveling to Thailand because of safety concerns. The US State Department says Thailand is relatively safe to travel to, with exceptions currently being Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, which are undergoing civic unrest due to ongoing insurgent activities.
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