Thailand has identified four locations to host “entertainment complexes,” which will include the country’s first casinos.
Earlier this week, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra insisted the kingdom will not rush to pass casino legislation, giving the public more time to comment.
But that doesn’t mean lawmakers have stopped working on the particulars of the Entertainment Complex Act. Yesterday, 13 March, they announced four potential host sites for entertainment complexes with gaming. Here’s a look.
Bangkok
As expected, the capital of Thailand has been selected to host at least one and possibly two entertainment complexes. Travel website Lonely Planet calls Bangkok the “Asian megacity incarnate,” where skyscrapers are side by side with gilded monasteries. Home to 22% of the total populace, Bangkok attracts almost 23 million visitors a year. According to Statista, that makes it one of the most-visited cities in the world, and a natural for a major entertainment destination.
Chiang Mai
Known as “the Rose of the North,” scenic Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city, home of ancient temples and bustling street markets. Its historic Old City district is set against spectacular jungles, complete with elephant sanctuaries. More than 10 million foreign and domestic tourists visit Chiang Mai every year.
Phuket
Phuket is the country’s largest island. Set on the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, it is famous for its natural splendours, including magnificent beaches, which help to attract about 9 million visitors each year. After dark, Phuket hosts a lively club scene. Of late, the island has been enjoying a tourism boom, thanks to its role in Season 3 of the hit HBO series “The White Lotus.”
Chonburi
Chonburi, on the Gulf of Thailand, is just 80 kilometres from Bangkok. The coastal city is renowned for its tropical gardens, wildlife parks and cultural and religious landmarks, such as Buddha Mountain in Pattaya. More than 20 million people travelled to Chonburi in 2024.
The case for and against casinos
In January, Thailand cabinet members overwhelmingly approved the first draft of an Entertainment Complex bill. If approved, it will introduce Singapore-style casino resorts in five locations across the country.
According to Channel News Asia, Nikom Boonwiset, vice chairman of a legislative committee overseeing the project, says the new industry will lure at least 50 million visitors to Thailand annually.
A 2023 government study said it would boost tourism revenue by THB406.6 billion (£9 billion/€10.87 billion/$12 billion) in the first year alone. It could also also create tens of thousands of new jobs.
But the plan has plenty of detractors. A January poll reported by the Bangkok Post showed that 59.19% of respondents oppose casino complexes. Just 29% support them. In addition, more than 58% strongly oppose legal online gambling and fewer than 20% strongly support it.
The poll, conducted 20-21 January by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), has a margin of error of 3%.
