Thailand Chooses Cities for Future Casino Complexes

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

The Thai government has taken a bold step forward, announcing plans to develop major entertainment complexes in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This announcement comes amidst vocal public criticism, highlighting the country's strategy to stimulate tourism and economic growth through these ventures.

 

Nikom Boonwiset, vice-chairman of the special committee overseeing this ambitious project, revealed these plans on Thursday. As an influential MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Mr. Nikom expressed optimism about the project, which is projected to cost a staggering 500 billion Thai Baht and attract upwards of 50 million tourists each year.

 

The proposed complexes are expected to generate approximately 40,000 new jobs, positioning Thailand as a sought-after destination for global tourists and business investments alike.

 

International investors have already begun to express keen interest, eyeing the vast potential of Thailand's entertainment industry. Mr. Nikom emphasised that each complex would include luxurious five-star hotels, bustling shopping malls, thrilling amusement parks, state-of-the-art sports arenas, and grand convention centres.

 

Although the inclusion of casinos has attracted significant attention, Mr. Nikom insists that less than 10% of each complex would be devoted to gambling, challenging public perceptions that the developments are predominantly casino-focused.

 

The Entertainment Complex Bill was slated for discussion in a recent cabinet meeting, but this was delayed due to an ongoing public feedback process managed by the Ministry of Finance.

 

Concerns from protest groups have necessitated a thorough review of public sentiment before proceeding. The feedback window remains open until Friday, after which revisions based on public opinion will be sent back to the cabinet.

 

Despite the positive outlook from policymakers, criticism persists. Thanakorn Khomkrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, has openly criticised the bill, citing loopholes and insufficient preventative measures against youth gambling.

 

Mr. Thanakorn highlights the ambiguity surrounding casino regulations, such as the number of establishments, gambling space proportions, licensing fees, and tax rates.

 

Additionally, the bill's allowance for 'other businesses' within casino complexes has sparked fear of potential money laundering through intermediary services known as junket operations. Such concerns underscore the need for clear, robust regulations to safeguard the integrity of Thailand’s financial landscape.

 

As the Entertainment Complex Bill continues to evolve, Thailand faces a critical juncture. The country stands on the brink of a transformative era in tourism and entertainment, but how it navigates these opportunities and challenges will determine its ultimate success, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-14

 

 

[sqwakvfr]

Oh joy exactly where in Chiang Mai could a casino/hotel complex be built?  Maybe near the airport? Guests can get off the plane and go straight to the tables.  I can see traffic from mainland China pickup when and if this happens.  Casino's can bring economic gains but a lot of bad things come with that.  Las Vegas is a facade in many ways.  Once you get off the stip the realities of life hit you in the face.  Lot of people who have lost a lot end up being homeless.  At least in the US the Native American tribes build their casno/hotel complexes on their lands which is a good distance from major cities.  

[Tropicalevo]

Thank you. 

At least Samui is not on the danger list.

[watchcat]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Nikom insists that less than 10% of each complex would be devoted to gambling, challenging

 

And the rest 90 % are for hookers?

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

Oh joy exactly where in Chiang Mai could a casino/hotel complex be built?  Maybe near the airport? Guests can get off the plane and go straight to the tables.  I can see traffic from mainland China pickup when and if this happens.  Casino's can bring economic gains but a lot of bad things come with that.  Las Vegas is a facade in many ways.  Once you get off the stip the realities of life hit you in the face.  Lot of people who have lost a lot end up being homeless.  At least in the US the Native American tribes build their casno/hotel complexes on their lands which is a good distance from major cities.  

 

This would be such a disaster. They're still trying to sell this "rose of north" and "northern cultural capital" crap about Chiang Mai which has already lost most of that but if they added a casino it would be game over.

[VBF]

If they build in Chonburi, perhaps the hordes of Chinese in Pattaya will go there instead?

Maybe build near to Utapao and let flights from China use it?

[PETERTHEEATER]

Mr Nikom is an optimistic forecaster.

"Rien ne va plus Messieurs"

[Crazy Noobie]

I vote they should build the first complex here in Chiang Mai and then see how it goes.

[NorthernRyland]

1 minute ago, Crazy Noobie said:

I vote they should build the first complex here in Chiang Mai and then see how it goes.

does Chiang Mai really need any more ugly things and tourists? I think there's enough already.

[Thumbs]

Can't see anything good coming from this, 

[bkk6060]

I think for CM the old brick now closed mall near Nimman is an excellent location most of the Chinese customers will be in that area already.  Or closed Promenada mall for out of the city.

 

For Pattaya, Bali Hi is perfect plenty of land around there for a water front complex.

[Xonax]

20 minutes ago, VBF said:

If they build in Chonburi, perhaps the hordes of Chinese in Pattaya will go there instead?

Maybe build near to Utapao and let flights from China use it?

One day in the near future you will realize, that Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province?

[ignore it]

That should quiet things down a bit in Phuket.

[Tom100]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Oh joy exactly where in Chiang Mai could a casino/hotel complex be built?  

In my daily bike rides i have seen that Chiang Mai has at least 3 very large hotels that have been closed since covid that would be suitable for a gaming complex.

1) Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel

2) Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel

3) A large hotel less than 1 km NW of Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel on the road between the old city and Maya Mall

 

Reopening these huge hotels would create a lot of jobs...although any money lost by locals would partly offset that economic benefit

 

[VBF]

1 minute ago, Xonax said:

Did it ever strike you, that Pattaya is a part of Chonburi province?

Yeah I phrased it badly didn't I?

Should have said:

 

"If they build somewhere in Chonburi other than Pattaya....."

 

Then my comment about Utapao would have made more sense. My bad😏

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai government has taken a bold step forward, announcing plans to develop major entertainment complexes in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This announcement comes amidst vocal public criticism, highlighting the country's strategy to stimulate tourism and economic growth through these ventures.

Forcing it down the throats of Thais who don't want them and get no say..

[AustinRacing]

Those locations are already full of tourists. If the intention is to increase tourism broadly across the country how about other locations. On a related matter, say hello to more misery among Thai families with short-fused males whom after losing all their money will become more violent at home. 

[Iron Tongue]

Wonderful.  Instead of one, Thailand wants four separate Casino complexes at the same time.  

Gee, I wonder where the financing will come from?

I don't think Thailand will be recognizable in 10 years.

[No Forwarding Address]

3 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Those locations are already full of tourists. If the intention is to increase tourism broadly across the country how about other locations. On a related matter, say hello to more misery among Thai families with short-fused males whom after losing all their money will become more violent at home. 

If I am not mistaken, I think the casinos will only be open to Foreigners, like Cambodia was back in ’95 - please feel free to correct me if I am wrong…….. Peace

[connda]

39 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

This would be such a disaster. They're still trying to sell this "rose of north" and "northern cultural capital" crap about Chiang Mai which has already lost most of that but if they added a casino it would be game over.

Drive down Thapae Road and witness results of the 2020 virus scare fiasco which ended up closing down all of the "non-essential business" that have never recovered.  Shuttered storefronts galore.  "Rose of the North."  Right! 

[sqwakvfr]

30 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I think for CM the old brick now closed mall near Nimman is an excellent location most of the Chinese customers will be in that area already.  Or closed Promenada mall for out of the city.

 

For Pattaya, Bali Hi is perfect plenty of land around there for a water front complex.

Oh no. I just walked by there yesterday and the only thing that could offer a  glimmer of hope is to build a casino complex where KSK and the Lotus Hotel used to stand.  That propery has stood vaacnt now coming on 3 years and I really do not see anything else to build except for something like this.  The property would sell for a steep discount as well.  

[Frankie baby]

Excellent cover & facilities for laundering cash.

[norsurin]

Loansharks klapping their hands now.

[AustinRacing]

4 minutes ago, No Forwarding Address said:

If I am not mistaken, I think the casinos will only be open to Foreigners, like Cambodia was back in ’95 - please feel free to correct me if I am wrong…….. Peace

I think locals with large bank accounts can enter. Also, you’d expect that rules will be bent that will allow some locals to sneak in. In any case resistance from illegal gambling hubs that are run by government officials will slow or even stop the progress. One reason Thai lottery has not changed much despite efforts to modernize and attempts to reduce corruption. 

[JimHuaHin]

Hua Hin not listed .... thankfully.

[gravity101]

Please not Phuket!, Please not Phuket!, Ahh Sheeeeet..  And CM?, how to ruin culture in one stroke, at least Phuket was ruined already.

[Metapod]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Oh joy exactly where in Chiang Mai could a casino/hotel complex be built?  Maybe near the airport? Guests can get off the plane and go straight to the tables.  I can see traffic from mainland China pickup when and if this happens.  Casino's can bring economic gains but a lot of bad things come with that.  Las Vegas is a facade in many ways.  Once you get off the stip the realities of life hit you in the face.  Lot of people who have lost a lot end up being homeless.  At least in the US the Native American tribes build their casno/hotel complexes on their lands which is a good distance from major cities.  

 

There is a pretty obvious location. Lotus Baan Suan Kaew hotel and mall is now empty. 

[Guderian]

Glad to see it's going to be in Chonburi (City) and not Pattaya (City), lol. If they'd said Nongprue or Banglamung, I'd have been worried.

[BKKBike09]

The good ship Fantasy is full steam ahead towards Reality Rocks.

 

(Speaking with experience of casino feasibility studies in places like South Korea, Saipan, Cambodia, Nepal and elsewhere ...)

[Atlantic Cod]

The site of the late, great Lotus Hotel would be my bet...