Thailand names four casino complex locations amid protests

Thailand has revealed the first four locations for its upcoming entertainment complexes, which will include casinos. The chosen spots are Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

According to Nikom Boonwiset, vice-chairman of the special committee overseeing the project, these locations were picked because they’re already major tourist hotspots. He shared the update on Thursday (Mar. 13), as reported by the Bangkok Post.

The announcement comes just two months after Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft law to legalize gambling and casinos.

Currently, most gambling in Thailand is illegal, though underground betting is widespread. The only exceptions are state-run horse races and the official lottery.

Nikom, who is also an MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, shared that the massive 500-billion-baht ($14.9 billion) project is expected to bring in at least 50 million visitors each year and create over 40,000 jobs, according to the news outlet.

Nikom stated that each entertainment complex will include a five-star hotel, a world-class shopping mall, an amusement park, a sports arena, a convention hall, and a large exhibition center. Less than 10% of the total space will be allocated for the casino itself.

The approach follows similar developments in Singapore and the Philippines, where integrated resorts, featuring casinos alongside luxury hotels, shopping malls, and entertainment hubs, have played a big role in boosting tourism. Thailand is aiming for the same success with its entertainment complexes.

However, he also noted that critics of the project have created the perception that these complexes are all about gambling, which he believes stems from prejudice and bias against the government.

คปท-ศปปส.-กองทัพธรรม นำมวลชนยื่นหนังสือถึงนายกฯ-ครม. ที่หน้าทำเนียบฯ ค้านกาสิโน-พนันออนไลน์ ชี้เป็นการสร้างสิ่งมอมเมา ไม่ได้ทำให้คนไทย “มีกิน มีใช้ มีเกียรติ มีศักดิ์ศรี”#เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ #ข่าวช่อง3 #ข่าวการเมือง #ค้านกาสิโนพนันออนไลน์ pic.twitter.com/SKWug5u4Mj

— เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ (@MorningNewsTV3) March 3, 2025

The Entertainment Complex Bill was initially set to be presented at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, but the plan hit a delay. The Ministry of Finance is currently gathering public feedback on the proposal through its website, with the consultation period running until Friday (Mar. 14).

A source revealed that protest groups have been voicing their concerns, even submitting formal letters of objection to Government House. As a result, the ministry is expected to revise the draft, taking public opinion into account before sending it back to the cabinet for further review.

The entertainment complex bill is not yet ready for discussion by the Cabinet, because the government must listen to the opinions of all stakeholders first, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told the media today.

She said that the entertainment complex project is an… pic.twitter.com/Ip3ANq7xZV

— Thai PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) March 11, 2025

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has said that legalizing gambling and casinos could be a significant boost to state revenue. However, she also made it clear that the government isn’t rushing into the project, according to a Bangkok Post report.

One key point still up for discussion is the requirement for Thai citizens to enter these entertainment complexes. As of now, they would need to prove they have at least 50 million baht ($1.5 million) in their bank accounts for at least six months—a condition that may be revised as the plan moves forward.

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