China’s decision to become tougher on the issue of illegal gambling has forced Thailand into a situation where it would have to decide the legality of the casino business within the national boundaries. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra just revealed on RTV TV during an interview that she had a discussion with President Xi about the controversial casino-entertainment complex project. The interaction of the two figures raised the question of the influence of casinos in the Thai economy and society on the one side and regional issues of this policy on the other side.
In the past week, Paetongtarn shared her vision of how the integrated complex might contain hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities, including a casino with a small percentage of the total floor space. This respond to the requirement for more details (on the part of the president of China) came from the concern of other countries whose border Thailand is, especially after that country might have changed its policy on gambling. Xi reminded that despite the potential benefits, the liability of social issues should not be overlooked in the case of casino legalization, which was yet to be legalized by some in the said countries, including Thailand.
The Thai government’s legalization of casinos is part of the Pheu Thai government’s policies, which were explained by Paetongtarn in September 2023. The reason behind this effort is to detect and tax illegally operated underground gambling activities. Paetongtarn maintained that by making these actions known, the government could use the earnings to fund development plans and solve a societally created issue.
On January 13, 2025, the Thai government, in principle, agreed to a law that would open the way for the establishment of such complexes. The first attestation of the law will be given by the Council of State, which is its legal arm, for 50 days, after which it will be submitted to the House for deliberation. Pakorn, the council’s secretary-general, told the media that the bill is, in fact, modified and different from the original version, but the main points still remain that way. Thus, he stated that gambling areas, which include the casinos, should be just 10% of the total space of the complex; – this is in line with the government’s first proposal.
The back and forth about the casino industry and government planning has opened a countrywide conversation on the necessity of public participation in the decision-making process. Meanwhile, the ruling party argues that no ballot is necessary because the policy has already been ratified by the parliament and was an essential part of Pheu Thai’s main program. The civil society groups that oppose the government’s policy are also interested in the matter. Hence, some citizens have formed an alliance and launched a petition to collect signatures calling for a referendum on the subject matter to display their people’s stand against this controversial issue and that people ought to partake in the decision-making process.
Thanakorn Komkris, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, said that the network aims to collect at least 50,000 signatures for a referendum. The campaign has been the manifestation of the fear that a large number of Thai people have had recently regarding the probable social effects of the decriminalization of gambling. The Association/committee has been very active in that they had previously launched an online petition with the following question: “Do you support the Entertainment Complex Bill?” which shows that the citizens were still focused on the debate.
The proposed bill defines standards for the functioning of facilities, particularly casinos, of the tourism and leisure industry. The company would have to pay entrance fees of 5 billion baht and an additional 1 billion baht annually. Each place will be inspected every five years, with licenses being given only for 30 years and the possibility of a ten-year extension. For the school policy, this act doesn’t let kids under 20 years in. Besides, they must also pay a fee of 5,000 baht for being a citizen of Thailand. These are usually intended to stop youth gamblers and save vulnerable people.
The matter to which Thailand can review whether the country is going to legalize gambling is that the country’s geography is both a lot to optimistic future and to confront the issue of gambling dependency that might come to the region. Currently, the Chinese government continues to deal with the problem of illegal gambling in their country, which stands in contrast to Thailand’s realization of the advantages of the industry. This is the critical point of the regulatory environment that has to be made in countries of the region, and the benefit of these decisions both for regions and for economic empowerment.
Thailand is not at all pleased with the situation that is bringing about its neighbor’s input into the matter. It seems that Paetongtarn’s talks with Xi Jinping are sufficient to convey the thought that Thailand is reasonably open to China’s suggestions of the set gambling policies. As Thailand takes the next steps in terms of such plans, measures need to be put in place that not only take into account factors at the national level but also consider the reactions of close neighbors, especially China, which has come down hard on casinos and similar activities.
A thorny and nebulous problem in Southeast Asia, where the proliferation of casinos is this of Thailand, the gambling rule of the digital era has become a major subject for politicians and scholars. By implementing a unique approach, Thailand can benefit from the advantages of this emerging industry while at the same time protecting the particular interests of its citizens. According to the author, in times of liberty, heavy competitiveness between states for different income sources is visible through internationalization, sovereignty, and culture.
As the policy gets sharper through the government and they keep the public informed, the message seems to be that the outcome will be for the best not only for Thailand but the part of the region. Legalizing gambling can have an impact in different ways. It can change gambling directions, it will stimulate tourist travel, business, social policies, and many other things in nearby countries. Notably, the attention of the world is still glued to Thailand as it struggles with dishonesty, but aims to get economic development without risking peace in its neighborhoods.
