File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

In a move that could revolutionise Thailand's entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings recently indicated its interest in making a significant investment in the country.

 

This potential expansion, revealed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), comes as part of MGM's broader strategy to attract more Thai tourists to Macau and potentially establish an entertainment complex in Thailand.

 

The announcement followed a high-level meeting between TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool and MGM China Holdings Chairperson Pansy Ho. During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to boost tourism between Thailand and Macau and explored MGM's investing in Thailand’s emerging entertainment sector.

 

“An investment from a global giant like MGM would significantly enhance Thailand’s appeal to international markets,” said Thapanee. “This could particularly attract tourists from China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.”

 

Thailand is in the process of drafting new laws and regulations to accommodate entertainment complexes, including legal casinos. Thapanee said that discussions with MGM could lead to collaborations that boost Thailand’s tourism competitiveness via innovative attractions and activities.

 

The Thai tourism sector faces a challenging target of generating 2.4 trillion baht over the next seven months to meet its annual goal of 3.5 trillion baht. The sector has collected only 1.1 trillion baht in the first five months of this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

 

Iwan Dietschi, Senior Vice-President of Hospitality at MGM China, confirmed Thailand’s importance to MGM's strategy. “Thailand is a top priority market for us, representing the largest group of visitors from Southeast Asia and the fastest growing market,” he said, noting a 30% year-on-year increase in Thai visitors to MGM hotels in 2024.

 

MGM has even stationed a sales representative in Thailand to further develop this market.

 

Meanwhile, MGM China is participating in the Experience Macao Roadshow in Bangkok, organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). The event, held at CentralWorld, aims to boost Thai tourism to Macau.

 

According to MGTO, Thai tourists were the fifth-largest group of visitors to Macau in the first five months of 2024. Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), another major player in Macau, also participated in the roadshow, promoting its luxury hotels to high-spending Thai visitors.

 

Samantha Lyu, Senior Manager for Media Services at GEG, noted a significant recovery in Macau’s tourism driven by Chinese tourists, with GEG reporting a 50% year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter and plans to open a new office in Bangkok.

 

It remains to be seen how MGM’s potential investments and collaborative efforts could reshape Thailand's tourism and entertainment sectors.

Huge amounts of money will be offered way too tempting to reject.  I bet casinos are coming soon.

Anutin is up to his kneck in this

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“An investment from a global giant like MGM would significantly enhance Thailand’s appeal to international markets,” said Thapanee

....Mr Tapanee says nothing about the "domestic market", because it's easy to imagine that many locals will lose their meagre savings in the casino.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In a move that could revolutionise Thailand's entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings recently indicated its interest in making a significant investment in the country

Here it comes...... 

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Huge amounts of money will be offered way too tempting to reject.  I bet casinos are coming soon.

Another location for the CCP to launder money

4 hours ago, webfact said:

In a move that could revolutionise Thailand's entertainment landscape, MGM China Holdings recently indicated its interest in making a significant investment in the country.

If the parties in government decide not to do it and build it and run it themselves then they are idiots. Be a huge cash cow - but hey ho, Chinese money talks in politicians ears

2 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

If the parties in government decide not to do it and build it and run it themselves then they are idiots. Be a huge cash cow - but hey ho, Chinese money talks in politicians ears

In Pattaya the private sector; namely Chang; own plenty of vacant land and have development plans for hotels, convention facilities, a Legoland and a zoo. MGM will likely provide the expertise to run any casino facilities.

The Government will collect the taxes.

great news    !!     and make sure there's a 7-11 at every exit 

7 minutes ago, champers said:

In Pattaya the private sector; namely Chang; own plenty of vacant land and have development plans for hotels, convention facilities, a Legoland and a zoo. MGM will likely provide the expertise to run any casino facilities.

The Government will collect the taxes.

 

My bet is on the huge plot of land in Jomtien opposite the Grande Caribbean condo. It must be the only large vacant plot still left in Pattaya. Why hasn't it been developed?

1 minute ago, Henryford said:

 

My bet is on the huge plot of land in Jomtien opposite the Grande Caribbean condo. It must be the only large vacant plot still left in Pattaya. Why hasn't it been developed?

Chang have huge swathes of vacant land both sides of Second Rd in Pattaya between Klang and the Central Marina mall.

this is the best news Thai politicians could hope for, their accounts will soon be flooded with offers they can't refuse! hands clapping with glee like Christmas morning

4 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

....Mr Tapanee says nothing about the "domestic market", because it's easy to imagine that many locals will lose their meagre savings in the casino.

Some countries don't allow the natives in to the casinos.

TAT and various government officials have proposed making Thailand the Hub of Everything, from the new Hollywood/Bollywood to the IT capital of Asia to the Snowbird Paradise to the Land of Digital Nomads and many more dreams, but it seems somebody is admitting what Thailand truly does best: vice.

 

Steve Miller might have sung...You're a drinker, you're a toker, you're a lover, you play poker....come play your roulette in the sun

 

Endless bars and weed shops, agogos and 'massage' parlors, ladyboys if that's one predilection, and now gambling. Accept nobody is really coming for the temples. Admit what you do best, which is cater to the darker side of life. There's plenty of dosh to be made having all these things, as well as pretending you don't.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

An investment from a global giant like MGM would significantly enhance Thailand’s appeal to international markets,” said Thapanee.

And it will guarantee that the Chinese 'Big Boys' will be here in numbers.

If you thought that the existing Chinese criminals were bad, wait until you see what this brings in.

Allowing this would be like just saying "China we are your humble servants"

This was inevitable, any photo with the people involved shows eyes so bright with avarice.. and half chubs

thais cannot build, maintain, run a casino ?

 

they do it all the time

I for one welcome the casinos to Thailand . One concern is the regulating of payouts . In the UK that payout is between 80-99% on takings ( RTP ) from a slot machine , under government law . Would that type of control be applied in Thailand ? I have my doubts . Also does the amendment of gambling laws in Thailand open the door to betting shops or online betting ? 

In Thailand , horse race betting allowed , lottery allowed , cock fight betting allowed and soon casinos . To criminalize online betting e.g. football betting seems unjust and illogical