Key points:
- MP Parit Wacharasindhu has criticised Thailand’s casino legalisation policy as unclear and socially risky
- Economic assumptions were challenged, especially regarding local participation and revenue projections
- Wacharasindhu argued that the current THB50m deposit requirement may be at odds with the Government’s broader intentions
Opposition MP Parit Wacharasindhu has publicly criticised the Thai Government’s push to legalise casinos, warning that the proposed policy is marred by unclear economic justifications, inadequate social safeguards and inconsistent policy communication.
Writing on Facebook, Parit – a spokesperson for the People’s Party – shared insights from a recent panel discussion where he voiced concerns about the draft entertainment complex bill currently under review.
Parit challenged the Government’s claims that casino legalisation would bring substantial economic benefits, arguing that these projections are based on assumptions rather than concrete data.
In particular, he cited uncertainty over how Chinese travel trends might evolve, and how these could impact tourism in Thailand.
He also expressed concern over the lack of effective measures to mitigate risks such as corruption, crime, money laundering and gambling addiction.
Parit pointed to inconsistencies in how the Government has communicated its plans, which he believes undermine public trust and policy transparency.
The MP also referenced a private sector projection that suggested legal casinos could generate up to THB50bn ($1.5bn) in annual tax revenue. However, he highlighted a fundamental contradiction between this estimate – which assumes high domestic participation – and the draft bill’s current clause requiring Thai gamblers to hold at least THB50m in deposits for the previous six months.
Parit noted that fewer than 10,000 people in the country meet this threshold, making the forecasted figures unrealistic.
He concluded by asserting that the Government’s approach appears designed to placate opposition, while quietly enabling broad local participation.
He finished by calling for a more transparent, balanced policy that encourages responsible investment and maximises benefits for the Thai public.
