Xi Raises Concerns Over Thai Casino Project, PM Defends Plan

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FILE - Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, is ushered by Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, in Beijing, China, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (Thailand's Government Spokesman Office via AP)

 

During a recent diplomatic visit to China, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged in discussions surrounding Thailand's proposed casino-entertainment complex with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting, centred on assessing potential societal impacts, revealed President Xi’s apprehensions regarding an increase in crime related to such projects.

 

The proposal, part of the Pheu Thai-led government's agenda, seeks to integrate a casino within a broader complex featuring hotels, dining, and entertainment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn assured President Xi that the casino would occupy less than 10% of the space, emphasising the ongoing studies assessing its broader implications.

 

Gambling remains illegal in both mainland China and Thailand, prompting Mr Xi’s concerns about potential social issues should Thailand move forward with legalisation. In response, Ms Paetongtarn highlighted the advantages of regulation over criminalisation, suggesting taxable revenue from legalised gambling could aid national development.

Addressing domestic contexts, the Thai cabinet granted preliminary approval in January for a bill facilitating the development of these complexes. The Council of State is currently reviewing the legislation, expected to finalise by March 6. Pakorn Nilprapunt, the council’s secretary-general, confirmed ongoing refinements to the bill, which maintains its primary provisions despite notable revisions.

 

Contention persists over whether a public referendum should dictate the project's fate. Government officials uphold that parliamentary approval suffices, aligning with the ruling party’s election promises. However, public opinion challenges this stance, with the Stop Gambling Foundation spearheading a petition campaign to advocate for a referendum.

 

The prospective legislation mandates a licensing scheme for operation, with a 5-billion-baht registration fee and an annual 1-billion-baht levy, valid for 30 years before potential renewal. Furthermore, entry restrictions would apply, barring individuals under 20 and imposing a 5,000-baht entrance fee for Thai citizens.

 

As debates continue, the balance between economic incentive and social responsibility remains a focal point, with Thailand navigating the complexities of integrating casino operations into its regulatory and cultural framework, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-13

 

 

[WHansen]

Bull ! He is worried about chinese money making its way into thailand.

We all know the chinese have a massive gambling addiction.