Thai casino bill stalls as opposition mounts

The future of Thailand’s casino-entertainment complex bill appears to be uncertain as the Pheu Thai-led government has decided to back off from fast-tracking the legislation through parliament, mostly because it’s facing some serious pushback from different corners.

According to the Bangkok Post, the government has hit pause and pushed the bill to the next parliamentary session, which kicks off on July 2.

PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered Pheu Thai MPs and ministers to spend time talking to their respective constituencies and explain about the merit of legalising casinos under the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, said Pheu Thai Party spokesman Danuporn Punnakanta on… pic.twitter.com/OJYBoKy2bZ

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) April 21, 2025

The bill was supposed to be reviewed by a special Senate committee on April 23, but now it’s up in the air whether that’s still happening.

The bill is already running into big obstacles, especially after Chaichanok Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, openly opposed it during a parliamentary session.

The decision raised a few eyebrows and sparked talk of possible rifts within the coalition. But Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul was quick to downplay the issue. He said he’d spoken with Newin Chidchob, who is the founder of the party, and claimed everything was fine.

Some insiders believe several senators with ties to Bhumjaithai, often called the “blue” party, aren’t likely to support the bill either.

And the opposition isn’t just inside parliament. Critics outside are threatening to protest if the government pushes ahead with the plan. There’s also growing concern that what Pheu Thai sees as a potential economic boost could actually backfire, costing them political capital in the next election.

Thailand’s economy has been lagging behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, and things could get even tougher with trade tensions brewing, especially with US tariffs from the Trump administration still casting a long shadow.

That’s part of why the government sees legalizing casinos as a potential game-changer. According to their estimates, opening the door to casino-resorts could bring in at least 100 billion baht ($3 billion) in direct investment. It could also increase tourism, with foreign visitor numbers potentially jumping by 5% to 10% each year.

However, critics raised serious concerns about the lack of a thorough study backing the plan and have even warned the government that continuing to push it could cross ethical lines.

But Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also heads the Pheu Thai Party, is standing firm. She made it clear the bill hasn’t been withdrawn, just put on pause. She states the government will keep collecting public feedback and making sure people understand exactly what the project is all about.

A special Senate committee has also been set up to investigate the issue. They have 180 days to wrap up their study.

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