---
title: "Thai Tourism Industry Urges Casino Bill Freeze Amid Political Struggles"
description: "As Thailand grapples with political rifts and looming House dissolution, tourism leaders voice concerns over the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill."
author: "Lucas Dunn"
date: "2025-06-20T10:10:55+03:00"
url: "https://www.casino.com/news/world/thai-tourism-industry-urges-casino-bill-freeze-amid-political-struggles/"
source: "https://instantly-lasting-parrot.edgecompute.app/news/world/thai-tourism-industry-urges-casino-bill-freeze-amid-political-struggles/"
---

## Key Takeaways

-   Tourism leaders warn legalizing casinos will cause damage to the recovering sector

-   The Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest member, pulled out of the coalition

-   The private sector is still hesitant to support the casino bill

Tourism leaders urge the Thai government to delay the contentious **Entertainment Complex Bill**, which proposes casino legalization. They warn it risks public backlash and further damage to the vulnerable tourism industry. This caution emerges as **Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra** 's coalition government faces instability, including the withdrawal of the **Bhumjaithai Party**, its second-largest member.

Analysts predict possible House dissolution and the nation's ongoing [Cambodia border dispute](https://www.casino.com/news/world/donacos-star-vegas-reports-disruptions-amid-thailand-cambodia-border-tensions/) does not help its case. The bill's scheduled July parliamentary debate now faces uncertainty due to the escalating political crisis.

## 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](https://www.casino.com/news/world/controversial-thailand-casino-legalization-bill-ignites-public-demonstrations/) 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_."