Thailand's Upcoming Entertainment Law Set to Change Nightlife

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Macao News

 

A forthcoming piece of legislation, the Entertainment Complex Business Act, is poised to reshape Thailand's vibrant nightlife scene, as it heads to the Cabinet for review on March 11. Aimed at introducing more stringent regulations, this law will impact the country's bustling world of nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment venues.

 

Fresh attention is on this act as the Council of State recently sent the draft back to the government, signalling the start of its legislative journey. The document is now undergoing scrutiny, with authorities gathering input from various stakeholders before it reaches the Cabinet for consideration.

 

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Suksit Srijomkhwan, brought clarity at today's press briefing at Government House. "We've received the draft law back, and feedback from relevant agencies is currently being collected," he stated.

 

The push for this legislation is part of a concerted effort to modernise regulation within Thailand's entertainment sector, seeking to balance the allure of economic advantages with necessary societal safeguards. Once it passes through the Cabinet, the House of Representatives will engage in further deliberations, potentially leading to its enactment.

Formerly given a green light by the Cabinet on January 13, the draft, officially called the Integrated Entertainment Business Act, has since undergone thorough examination by the Office of the Council of State. Amendments have been made following a comprehensive review, with public hearings set to wrap up by March 1.

 

Leaked details suggest that the new law could enforce tighter restrictions on operating hours and bolster security requirements. It may also introduce more rigorous licencing processes to curtail underage drinking and promote safer spaces for all patrons. Such provisions, according to KhaoSod, aim to blend enjoyment with enhanced community safeguarding.

 

As the storyline unfolds, it has ignited dialogue among the business community, patrons, and social reformists. Proponents see the potential for bolstered safety standards and a decrease in crime around key attractions.

 

Conversely, detractors express concern over heightened business costs and a potential dampening of the dynamic Thai nightlife, which is a crucial draw for visitors and locals alike.

 

Converting a lens to an economic perspective, businesses anxiously await the final wording, given that operational shifts could also alter profit margins significantly.

 

With the nightlife sector contributing notably to the national economy, the financial gains and losses presented by the bill could ripple across the industry, affecting revenue streams significantly impacted by economies of scale, with changes often equating to millions in Thai Baht.

 

How this legal development will ultimately play out remains to be seen, but its influence on the nightscape of Thailand is virtually assured. Whether by enhancing structure or challenging tradition, this legislative step is undeniably one to watch, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-28

 

 

[redwood1]

Like Nancy  Pelosi  said

 

 

We have to pass the bill so you can find out whats in it....

[DonniePeverley]

Here come the big chinese Casinos. 

 

Devastated cambodia. Cities left in ruins. 

 

[NemoH]

10 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Here come the big chinese Casinos. 

 

Devastated cambodia. Cities left in ruins. 

 

Along with everything from inflated prices to inflated property value to triads, scams, money laundering, kidnap…. Where are all the laws on this … Chinese hang and execute their criminals and detention without trial for gangs… I fear that by the end of the day, Thailand will be like Disneyland for the criminals.
 

They are attracting criminals rather than tourists…. It’s not Asian tourist culture to stay more than 3-5 days in a tour unless the tourist is earning income from the place they ‘tour’. 

[neeray]

Reference Casinos: I went to Thailand for a change and a rest, Walking Street got the change and the Casinos got the rest. 🤣

[klauskunkel]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Leaked details suggest that the new law could enforce tighter restrictions on operating hours and bolster security requirements. It may also introduce more rigorous licencing processes to curtail underage drinking and promote safer spaces for all patrons. Such provisions, according to KhaoSod, aim to blend enjoyment with enhanced community safeguarding.

Such provisions will benefit the RTP

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Amendments have been made following a comprehensive review, with public hearings set to wrap up by March 1.

 

Leaked details suggest that the new law could enforce tighter restrictions on operating hours and bolster security requirements

Does that make any sense?

[hotchilli]

50 minutes ago, NemoH said:

I fear that by the end of the day, Thailand will be like Disneyland for the criminals.

Yep....

[madmitch]

Can anyone translate the OP please, as it doesn't actually say anything?

[smedly]

if there's a way to feck it up these greedy ### will do it

 

how about putting resources into the increasing carnage on the roads - oh wait, that costs money with no gains to certain people

[smedly]

3 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Can anyone translate the OP please, as it doesn't actually say anything?

it's a secret

[loong]

The image implies that this is about casinos, but I did not see any mention of this in the article. In fact, as usual with any announcement by the Thai government, it is so vague that I have no idea what it's about!

[Presnock]

59 minutes ago, loong said:

The image implies that this is about casinos, but I did not see any mention of this in the article. In fact, as usual with any announcement by the Thai government, it is so vague that I have no idea what it's about!

+They have become experts at interviews and advance notice of laws etc without providing any additional information about that particular subject.

[Expat68]

Won't make any difference here in sleepy Issaan 

[quake]

Casinos should bring jobs for Thai people and revenue to the government.

Nice to see Thailand moving forward.

So many posters just want Thailand to fail.

You old grumpy, sad acts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[poyai111]

Read the fine print between the lines. Could this be the trojan horse whereby casinos will be introduced to slake the thirst of Chinese gamblers? Thai politicians have form on their obsequious intentions and with the economy on a precipice, they could use gambling to assuage their failures.

[Frankie baby]

The people at the top know exactly what's going to happen. They just need a little time to buy in before any announcement, a bit like insider trading.

[Bday Prang]

57 minutes ago, poyai111 said:

Read the fine print between the lines. Could this be the trojan horse whereby casinos will be introduced to slake the thirst of Chinese gamblers? Thai politicians have form on their obsequious intentions and with the economy on a precipice, they could use gambling to assuage their failures.

didn't see casinos mentioned in tbe OP  

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, loong said:

The image implies that this is about casinos, but I did not see any mention of this in the article. In fact, as usual with any announcement by the Thai government, it is so vague that I have no idea what it's about!

So nothing to do with the author.

[outsider]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

the new law could enforce tighter restrictions on operating hours and bolster security requirements.

 

Why is there a need for a new law? Existing laws are enough already to 'restrict operating hours and bolster security requirements'. If you bumbling idiots bother to enforce them! Since you people don't, the new law is going to be just another piece of toilet paper. Or another avenue for you clowns to siphon more money.

[mran66]

3 hours ago, neeray said:

Reference Casinos: I went to Thailand for a change and a rest, Walking Street got the change and the Casinos got the rest. 🤣

 

That's exactly why they will be built. Not only get some change from foreigners as usual, but get the rest as well - at least from some of them. Another prong to the forex generating trident of bar girl sponsorship,  buying property in wife's name and funding life of sick buffalos/grandmas/etc which are all good with decent hooks, but for many Asian guys spending their change in WS, casinos could work better to get the rest from them. 

 

Have to say not a bad business strategy financially. But I'll stick playing with change only. 

 

 

 

[Iron Tongue]

1 hour ago, quake said:

Casinos should bring jobs for Thai people and revenue to the government.

Nice to see Thailand moving forward.

So many posters just want Thailand to fail.

You old grumpy, sad acts. 

If the casinos are Chinese run, they'll be staffed with Chinese imported from China.  Thais will be hired to clean the toilets and provide "relaxation" to the punters.

If you look at China's Belt & Road Initiative as the guide for Chinese investment, they'll pay for everything, but they'll bring in their own people to work the investments.  These people will even eat, live, and shop in Chinese-owned businesses which follow the flow of investment.

 

[JoolzTheBox]

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

didn't see casinos mentioned in tbe OP  

Didn't see anything mentioned in the OP

[JoolzTheBox]

Didn't see anything mentioned in the OP just waffle that told us nothing. TIT

[mran66]

15 minutes ago, outsider said:

 

Why is there a need for a new law? Existing laws are enough already to 'restrict operating hours and bolster security requirements'. If you bumbling idiots bother to enforce them! Since you people don't, the new law is going to be just another piece of toilet paper. Or another avenue for you clowns to siphon more money.

 

You missed the whole purpose of these law, which is not the same as in the west. If no laws would need to be broken to run a profitable business, how could the police force and various other govt officials make their living? 

 

The purpose of potential additional laws is to try to get more reasons for payments, not to change anything on the ground. That's how big part of the country economy works. 

 

 

[geisha]

2 hours ago, quake said:

Casinos should bring jobs for Thai people and revenue to the government.

Nice to see Thailand moving forward.

So many posters just want Thailand to fail.

You old grumpy, sad acts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thailand has failed already. The poor are still poor , even poorer. There are more and more girls and boys on the streets than ever before. Wages for the  «  normal » workforce are pitiful, no way these Thais can live on what they earn. Education, if you can call it that, is sadly lacking. Decent living conditions are rare , especially in bigger towns and cities, and workers live in squalid surroundings, 4 to a room. Eating out of 7/11 microwave meals is the norm. Pollution is silently killing so many Thais, and though everyone talks about it , nothing is done . 
So , I think that anyone who believes that casinos will help the Thais lives on cloud 9.  It will bring money  to the government coffers, yes, taxes yes. 
I love Thailand , would love to see a government who really looks after its people. Doubt that will happen anytime soon. 

[captain_shane]

31 minutes ago, geisha said:

I love Thailand , would love to see a government who really looks after its people. Doubt that will happen anytime soon. 

It'll never happen. Thailand is a two-tier caste system with thai-chinese owning everything and full thai's owning nothing. It's the same in all of SE Asia, mixed chinese own everything while full bred locals own nothing. Some are more extreme than others like in Laos is 99% / 1% ownership and Vietnam 70% / 30%, but Thailand is close to the top of the imbalances with 90% / 10%.

[Robert_Smith]

good job I do my drinking in the day time then!

 

what's nightlife?

 

regards,

bob.

[hellohello123]

Next rule change: we will decrease the minimum number of ice cubes per drink from 5 to 4.

 

This will revolutionse the night life industry