Thailand Drops 50 Million Baht Account Rule for Casino Entry

[webfact]

Casino file photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand has scrapped a difficult requirement for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex project. Originally, Thais needed to show proof of having a hefty 50 million Baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry. Now, they just need to demonstrate they have filed tax returns for the past three years.

 

This significant shift in the Entertainment Complex Bill is detailed in Section 65 of the draft. The government’s legal advisors, the Council of State, reviewed this section, pushing for a more practical approach.

 

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, recent public feedback has influenced this change. The revised draft legislation, which also considered public opinion, was signed by both Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Minister of Interior before heading to the cabinet secretariat at the end of February.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed the removal of the financial requirement, acknowledging that it catered little to the majority. With only about 10,000 Thais holding accounts with 50 million Baht, the initial move might have encouraged illegal gambling.

 

"The revised draft adjusts to reality, ensuring more legitimate participation and aligns with state and community welfare," said Julapun.

 

In its place, the law has retained a 5,000 Baht entrance fee, coupled with the income tax filing rule, as a more inclusive threshold for casino entry.

Stimulating the legislative gears further, the government aims to present the bill to the cabinet quickly, seeing potential approval this parliamentary session.

 

Reflecting on the broader implications, several protest groups, including the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform and the Dharma Army, expressed deep concerns.

 

Convening outside the government house in Bangkok, they submitted a formal complaint to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, instead demanding a legislative reconsideration. In their appeal, they voiced fears regarding the potential societal, religious, and economic discord the casino might bring.

 

Thailand's latest maneuver towards legalised gambling underscores a desire to balance growth and regulation with cultural sensitivities and economic inclusivity.

 

While it opens doors wider for local participation, it maintains a stern gaze on revenue and lawfulness, striving for a framework that respects its rich and diverse community fabric. How this balance will materialise remains one of Thailand's pressing questions, as eyes keenly watch the government's next steps, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-04

 

 

[Ralf001]

Wonder how long till we see slot machines in the beer bars of Pattaya!

[david rucker]

Exactly what every wealthy Thai carries around in his pocket. Haven't they looked at what other countries do instead of reinventing the wheel?

[redwood1]

Filing Tax returns and Gamboling?........What?........

 

This makes about as much sense as having AA meetings to stop drinking in a liquor store....

 

 

 

 

[blaze master]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Wonder how long till we see slot machines in the beer bars of Pattaya!

 

I just matched 4 dildos.

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In its place, the law has retained a 5,000 Baht entrance fee, coupled with the income tax filing rule, as a more inclusive threshold for casino entry.

Yeah, but that´s perfect for people that sees gambling the right way, and engage in fun and recreational gambling. 5 000 baht entrance fee? So, then they have to win 4900 baht and will still be a loser.  😂

32 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

I just matched 4 dildos.

Hey! Most commonly there are 5 wheels on a slot machine. What was the 5th wheel? An arse? 😂

[blaze master]

4 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, but that´s perfect for people that sees gambling the right way, and engage in fun and recreational gambling. 5 000 baht entrance fee? So, then they have to win 4900 baht and will still be a loser.  😂

Hey! Most commonly there are 5 wheels on a slot machine. What was the 5th wheel? An arse? 😂

 

You don't want to know where the 5th dildo went. 

[Tropicalevo]

And the farce rumbles on.

Do rich retired people still file tax returns?

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, david rucker said:

Exactly what every wealthy Thai carries around in his pocket. Haven't they looked at what other countries do instead of reinventing the wheel?

 

I reckon most would keep the coin in their fixed deposit account.... not their back pocket!

[lordgrinz]

Casinos just create more poor people, the loan sharks must be drooling over this proposal.

[Purdey]

Just ban Thais from entry. Period. 

[ikke1959]

4 hours ago, david rucker said:

Exactly what every wealthy Thai carries around in his pocket. Haven't they looked at what other countries do instead of reinventing the wheel?

In Thailand they invent every day the wheel again in everything.. They have no clue what they are doing. 

[watchcat]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has scrapped a difficult requirement for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex project. Originally, Thais needed to show proof of having a hefty 50 million Baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry.

 

Another U-Turn.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has scrapped a difficult requirement for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex project. Originally, Thais needed to show proof of having a hefty 50 million Baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry. Now, they just need to demonstrate they have filed tax returns for the past three years.

 

[thesetat]

I did not know they already changed the laws allowing the casinos to open and operate?

They seem pretty focused though to do so. Have they no clue what poverty will bring to those Thais who get addicted so easily to gambling here will do to their economy? 

 

Charging 5000 will not stop the Thais from going to illegal gambling dens. They are lost in their own rhetoric. 

 

I have been to casinos all over the world and have never, ever been asked to pay an entrance fee to go inside to risk losing all my money? Does that fee include free drinks like in Vegas. Where if you are gambling you can drink for free and eat at the buffets and if you are a big money winner they will give you free luxury suites? 

Outrageous, to go into a casino already the loser. 

[Photoguy21]

6 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Wonder how long till we see slot machines in the beer bars of Pattaya!

At least you can win on the one arm bandits

[Peterphuket]

6 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Wonder how long till we see slot machines in the beer bars of Pattaya!

Operating that kind of machinery was my profession long ago, that reminds me, you only get a work permit here if the Thai can't practice it, I think I'll sign up today, a nice penny on the side.

[kingstonkid]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Casino file photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

Thailand has scrapped a difficult requirement for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex project. Originally, Thais needed to show proof of having a hefty 50 million Baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry. Now, they just need to demonstrate they have filed tax returns for the past three years.

 

This significant shift in the Entertainment Complex Bill is detailed in Section 65 of the draft. The government’s legal advisors, the Council of State, reviewed this section, pushing for a more practical approach.

 

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, recent public feedback has influenced this change. The revised draft legislation, which also considered public opinion, was signed by both Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Minister of Interior before heading to the cabinet secretariat at the end of February.

 

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed the removal of the financial requirement, acknowledging that it catered little to the majority. With only about 10,000 Thais holding accounts with 50 million Baht, the initial move might have encouraged illegal gambling.

 

"The revised draft adjusts to reality, ensuring more legitimate participation and aligns with state and community welfare," said Julapun.

 

In its place, the law has retained a 5,000 Baht entrance fee, coupled with the income tax filing rule, as a more inclusive threshold for casino entry.

 

Stimulating the legislative gears further, the government aims to present the bill to the cabinet quickly, seeing potential approval this parliamentary session.

 

Reflecting on the broader implications, several protest groups, including the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform and the Dharma Army, expressed deep concerns.

 

Convening outside the government house in Bangkok, they submitted a formal complaint to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, instead demanding a legislative reconsideration. In their appeal, they voiced fears regarding the potential societal, religious, and economic discord the casino might bring.

 

Thailand's latest maneuver towards legalised gambling underscores a desire to balance growth and regulation with cultural sensitivities and economic inclusivity.

 

While it opens doors wider for local participation, it maintains a stern gaze on revenue and lawfulness, striving for a framework that respects its rich and diverse community fabric. How this balance will materialise remains one of Thailand's pressing questions, as eyes keenly watch the government's next steps, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-04

 

 

So the GF and I go to Pats for a weekend and decide to pop into the casino to watch. we get to the door and she has to provide copies of her tqax return and I am out 5k just to get in the door.

 

Guess they really do not want us or any male touirst to go to the casino.  

[Ralf001]

2 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

So the GF and I go to Pats for a weekend and decide to pop into the casino to watch. we get to the door and she has to provide copies of her tqax return and I am out 5k just to get in the door.

 

Guess they really do not want us or any male touirst to go to the casino.  

 

Its gunna be great.. no ball and chain.

 

Even if it is 5k for me to enter, cheaper than driving over to Naga for the weekend, be great to legally play hold Em in Thailand.

[Colki]

I am sure that both requirements apply only to Thai. A thai must show tax returns for last three years and pay B5,000. A non thai will have to show passport I would think.

 

Be like queuing at immigration at the airport, bizzare.

[quake]

Quote

Now, they just need to demonstrate they have filed tax returns for the past three years

 

Expect one more  Flip Flop on that in the next few months. 

[connda]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

In its place, the law has retained a 5,000 Baht entrance fee, coupled with the income tax filing rule, as a more inclusive threshold for casino entry.

You're still telling the average Thai to get lost, casinos are for the wealthy - "Scram peons!"

[connda]

I have no interest.  After experiencing Reno and Las Vegas, who gives a buffalo fart about Thai casinos?  The entire industry is by wealthy Thais for the benefit of wealthy Thais, and compared to Vegas it will be a bore. 🥱

[black tabby12345]

Looks like they are about to  open up Pandora's Box.

Not-so-affluent sort of Thais will lose fortunes.

Might help increase suicide, thefts, and robbery by those financially ruined by own stupid bet.

[blueeyes]

If they have poker tournaments or cash then hopefully it will be legal in my home and I can have home games at last.

[ignore it]

When this all gets sorted and they open casinos, if you've got table stakes or min bets, you'll get in.

[Thailand]

They will end up with something nearer to this:

Singapore requires citizens and permanent residents to pay an entry fee to enter casinos. As of 2019, the daily entry fee for locals is SGD 150, valid for 6 hours from the time of purchase. Additionally, locals can opt for an annual entry fee of SGD 3,000, which also allows for a maximum of 6 hours of casino access per day. 

Foreign visitors, however, do not need to pay an entry fee to enter the casinos.

[gamb00ler]

3 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

At least you can win on the one arm bandits

You can even win the Thai lottery.  The maid we had in our rental house before we moved, actually won 6M in a recent local lottery.  I'm very happy for her because she was a kind and hard working Burmese lady supporting her family.

[norsurin]

7 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Casinos just create more poor people, the loan sharks must be drooling over this proposal.

When i lived in kap choeng in surin near the border to Cambodia i was shocked how many thais crossing the border in daily bases for going to the casino.Loan sharks was wery happy i guess.