Thai PM Defends Integrated Resorts Plan with Strict Visitor Screening

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has doubled down on her administration’s push to legalize casino resorts within entertainment complexes, rejecting claims that the initiative risks societal harm. During her monthly “Empowering Thais” broadcast on the state-owned Thai Television Station (NBT), she accused critics of misrepresenting the Entertainment Complex bill for political advantage. She stressed that gambling facilities would operate under strict responsible gambling protocols, aligning the country with regional tourism standards.

Detailed Regulatory Framework

PM Shinawatra outlined stringent visitor screening protocols central to her government’s casino-featuring integrated resorts (IRs) proposal. The requirements mandate criminal background checks and wealth verification for international guests. “Profiles of visitors from all countries will be checked, including criminal records, and they must have enough wealth to meet criteria,” she stated during her broadcast, framing these measures as safeguards against gambling-related harms.

Her remarks countered escalating opposition claims that legalized casinos risk normalizing addiction and crime. She dismissed the claims, clarifying that the IRs would prioritize tourism development with hotels, convention spaces, and concert halls at their core. Meanwhile, casino floors remain a secondary component.

Keeping Up with Global Standards

She framed the plan as aligning with global tourism strategies, asserting that the complexes meet the standards of global precedents set by Singapore, the UAE, and the US. She highlighted Japan’s post-Expo 2025 blueprint to convert Osaka’s expo site into a mixed tourism hub, urging Thailand to adopt similar forward-thinking strategies.

“Relying solely on beaches and temples stagnates our competitiveness,” she argued, stressing that large-scale, curated attractions will diversify Thailand’s tourism portfolio. She reiterated, “With entertainment complexes, Thailand will not have a low season.”

Coalition Tensions

Opposition to the casino initiative continues to intensify, with critics dismissing PM Shinawatra’s assurances as politically motivated. Bhumjaithai Party Secretary-General Chaichanok ChidChob publicly broke ranks with the coalition, opposing the bill and fueling speculation of discord within the ruling Pheu Thai party. The bill debate’s postponement to July 2^nd—attributed to earthquake relief efforts and US tariff negotiations—has further emboldened skeptics questioning its viability.

Stop Gambling Foundation Secretary-General Thanakorn Komkrit underscored concerns, citing a 2024 UNODC report linking Southeast Asian countries to money laundering through gambling chip conversions, cross-border junkets, and transaction layering. Critics argue that Thailand lacks the infrastructure to track complex illicit activities, noting that even regulated markets struggle with enforcement.