Hotel Chief Urges Focus
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, warned against prioritizing the Entertainment Complex Bill over pressing national issues. He stressed that Thailand must resolve its economic struggles and the Cambodian border before advancing to legislation, stating, "The government must focus on stabilizing the economy and resolving the border issue rather than rushing into legislation that could cause social unrest."
While acknowledging the government's THB157 billion stimulus package as positive, he criticized the lack of public consultation on the casino bill and urged transparency. Chaiyapatranun advocates for a national referendum, while the ruling party rejects such consultation.
The private sector remains hesitant to support the initiative without a finalized draft despite government projections of THB39.25 billion in annual revenue and a 10% tourist increase from the proposed casino resorts.
Intensified Opposition
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, advisory chairman of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, echoed industry concerns, criticizing the government for prioritizing internal disputes over national priorities. "The constant political infighting has eroded public trust and weakened confidence in the economy," he told the Bangkok Post, urging prioritization of economic recovery and resolution of the Cambodia border dispute.
The Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal from the coalition, triggered by a leaked call between PM Paetongtarn and Cambodian leader Hun Sen, further destabilized the bill's prospects, narrowing the government's parliamentary majority. The opposition has also surged with over 53,000 petition signatures demanding a referendum, reflecting widespread fears of increased gambling addiction, crime, and social instability.
Tourism Slump
The tourism industry also points to Thailand's sharp decline in international visitors, particularly from China. The discussions dominated the Thailand Entertainment Complex Roundtable in Bangkok, where policymakers, executives, and opposition representatives convened to discuss strategies to revive the tourism sector.
Opposition spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu warned that legalizing casinos could worsen the Chinese tourist downturn, stating, "China is firmly opposed to gambling abroad and has threatened to blacklist countries seen as encouraging Chinese nationals to gamble overseas."
