Thailand Moves to Legalise Casinos in Tourism Boost

[webfact]

 

Thailand is preparing to introduce a Bill to legalise casinos, aiming to create large entertainment zones to attract more tourists and generate additional state revenue.

 

This move is part of a broader strategy to position Thailand as a premier tourism hub. A government spokesman, Chai Wacharonke, confirmed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed the finance ministry to draft the necessary legislation.

 

The initiative comes on the heels of a House of Representatives study, backed by a majority of its 500 members in March, which recommended the establishment of legal casinos within large entertainment venues.

 

These integrated complexes are expected to include not just casinos but also other attractions, targeting high-spending tourists.

 

The potential economic impact is significant. Chai estimates that the first year of operation could bring in as much as 12 billion baht (approximately £290 million) in tax revenue.

 

The global casino industry, which generated around £215 billion in revenue last year according to IBIS World, presents a lucrative opportunity for Thailand to tap into.

 

Thailand is not alone in this venture. Recently, the United Arab Emirates set up a framework for legal gaming, with Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah leading the charge.

 

Thailand's potential legalisation of casinos aligns with a recent shift towards more liberal policies aimed at revitalising the tourism sector, which suffered significantly due to the pandemic.

 

This is not the first time Thailand has ventured into more liberal territories to boost tourism. In 2022, it became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis, although it is currently reconsidering its stance on recreational use.

 

Moreover, Thailand is poised to be the first Southeast Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriages.

 

While most types of gambling are currently illegal in Thailand, the proposed legalisation of casinos reflects a strategic pivot.

 

The aim is to attract a wealthier tourist demographic, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing Thailand's global tourism appeal.

 

Picture courtesy: Wikimedia

 

-- 2024-06-05

 

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[pomchop]

In related news:  Sales of Brown Envelopes Surge

[stoner]

i hope they have a smoking section for cannabis. 

[Felton Jarvis]

Will they change their minds in two years and decide to make them ILLEGAL again?

[brianthainess]

Who will pay for the construction, and who will own them ? 

[JackSinclair]

The casino rumour again? What about the horse racetrack outside Pattaya and the monorail from Bangkok to Pattaya? 

[redwood1]

1 hour ago, brianthainess said:

Who will pay for the construction, and who will own them ? 

 

Who will pay for the construction......The Public...

 

And who will own them......The right people...

 

And who will lose?.......Everybody except the right people...

[Gottfrid]

Yeah, this will make a lot of money from gambling to fill the coffers. Unfortunately Thai´s are gambling crazy, so it will also result in many families losing all they own. But, I am sure they will have another 10k baht handout when that happens.

The winners, will be us, that will se our money getting stronger against the baht, and we get more for our cash in lovely and beautiful Thailand. 🙂 

[ikke1959]

Sure tourism will surge, but it shows again that Thailand has no clue about tourism. In the Western world casino's are legalized many years back, so influence on tourism will be not much, or only for the rich Chinese. It is more the profits of the owners that will be skyrocketing

[chiman]

in 12 months, they will roll that back after Thais loose all their money in casino's, commit suicide by killing all their family as well.. 

[crazykopite]

I thought gambling was illegal or is it only when it suits the government maybe after a year like all the weed shops change there mind and close the casino down 

[CanadaSam]

Yes, great idea, heard it already numerous times, get on with it!!!

[Guderian]

So in future in the Land of Smoke & Mirrors, you'll be able to lose your shirt legally in a gambling den, but having a spliff to console yourself afterwards will be illegal by then, while hiring a willing young lady of the night to ease your burdens in bed will still be illegal. Like Ron Moody's Fagin sings in the musical "Oliver!", I think they'd better think it out again.

[Don Kaeo]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Who will pay for the construction, and who will own them ? 

Our nee how friends… they need to invest all their dirty money somewhere… 

[Jackbenimble]

4 hours ago, Felton Jarvis said:

Will they change their minds in two years and decide to make them ILLEGAL again?

if you prefer to continue banging on about the cannabis u-turn there are threads for that.

[Jackbenimble]

This is not only long overdue but has been in the planning for about a decade. Much work needed doing behind the scenes for it to happen and for the right people to be granted the Licences. 

The casinos bring with them a dark, seedy side though - at least it will keep BIB busy 

[Pouatchee]

Casinos in weed out.

As far as i know gambling os way more addictive and many lose their shirts.

 

Only time you see a shirtless pot head is either he lost it or he tried to use it for rolling paper

[AustinRacing]

Will not happen without a fight. They put a stop to sale of automated lottery tickets due to Mafia boys (including authorities) who take a piece of the action. With so many illegal casinos managed by police and other law enforcement people, legalized casinos will cut them out, albeit new ones will take their place. Who has the bigger influence?

[Mavideol]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Who will pay for the construction, and who will own them ? 

one country comes to mind.... CHINA and Chinese money 555

[Dirk Z]

4 hours ago, stoner said:

i hope they have a smoking section for cannabis. 

And maybe private rooms for some related fun?

[Mavideol]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Sure tourism will surge, but it shows again that Thailand has no clue about tourism. In the Western world casino's are legalized many years back, so influence on tourism will be not much, or only for the rich Chinese. It is more the profits of the owners that will be skyrocketing

they are just filling up a hot air balloon, if this will happen they will have to open the country and remove all visa hurdles or people will not come

[ronster]

Loan sharks will be rubbing their hands !!

[Hakuna Matata]

Wake up! This is a move in the wrong direction.

 

Next step would be legalization of cocaine and heroine?

 

Thailand is going crazy?

[champers]

Chang will be paying for the casino in Pattaya. They own all the vacant land where it will be built and their own property arm will be developer. Together they will keep the profits, less taxes, of course.

They need to get a shift on because Japan have plans in place to build 3 casinos as well, according to today's Bangkok Post.

[Ebumbu]

Are they going to legalize it for 2 years and then torpedo all the casino boats? LOS. 

[Skeptic7]

Then a year later they'll flip-flop and outlaw them. T.I.T. 🤣

[Jiggo]

Good for the Chinese and Russian Mafia 

Sihanoukville 2 the movie

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Who will pay for the construction, and who will own them ? 

CP?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

This move is part of a broader strategy to position Thailand as a premier tourism hub

Might just as well go all out and make Thailand the playground of the East, it has nothing else going for it.

[hotchilli]

7 minutes ago, Hakuna Matata said:

Wake up! This is a move in the wrong direction.

 

Next step would be legalization of cocaine and heroine?

 

Thailand is going crazy?

Going ?