Key points:
- Amornvivat dismisses criticism, citing international examples of legal casino hubs
- Draft bill moves to Parliament following Cabinet approval
- Project aims to attract over THB100bn (US$2.7bn) in investment
Thailand’s Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has defended the Government’s plan to develop integrated entertainment complexes, including regulated casinos, amid concerns about the country’s international image, as reported by The Nation.
Julapun dismissed suggestions that legalised gambling would damage Thailand’s reputation. He questioned whether countries such as the United States, Singapore, Japan and the United Arab Emirates should also be labelled as part of a grey economy. He said the existence of unregulated gambling dens across Thailand posed a greater reputational risk and argued that regulation would provide transparency and oversight.
The minister suggested that recent criticism may reflect the personal opinion of the Bank of Thailand Governor rather than an official institutional position. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project, which was recently endorsed by the Cabinet and is now being prepared for parliamentary review.
Good to know: The proposed complexes will include wellness centres, hotels, retail zones and family entertainment, with casinos occupying no more than 10% of the site
Julapun said the current administration intends to deliver on a proposal that has been under discussion for over three decades.
He projected that, following parliamentary approval, it would take around one year to establish a regulatory body and complete feasibility assessments. The target is to begin construction within three years, with investment expected to exceed THB100bn.
