Thai province near Malaysia border eyes casino development to boost tourism
A proposal for southern Thai province of Songkhla, bordering Malaysia, to host a casino to stimulate tourism has been raised. This proposal has been proposed by Songchai Mungprasithichai, President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association.
According to a report by The Bangkok Post, Mungprasithichai suggested that the area around Ban Dan Nok, Thailand’s southernmost entry point, could attract gambling tourists. This location is often overlooked by Malaysian visitors in favour of Hat Yai, a more popular destination.
Current tourism trends
Mungprasithichai highlighted that tourism operators in Ban Dan Nok report a quiet market. Even Hat Yai, a traditionally busy tourist hub, experiences inconsistent tourist flows. During festivals, 90 percent of foreign tourists in Hat Yai are from Malaysia, but these visitors now have more travel options than in the past.
Mungprasithichai said he believes that the proximity of Songkhla to Malaysia’s Resorts World Genting could make it an appealing alternative for gamblers who typically visit the Genting Highlands.
Community support and awareness
For the casino development to succeed, Mungprasithichai emphasises the necessity of local approval. He called for an awareness campaign to inform the community about the benefits of an integrated resort. He was quoted saying that despite being an Islamic country, Malaysia allows legal casinos in Genting and he pointed out that a similar approach could work in Songkhla if the economic benefits are clearly communicated. The development would include hotels, shopping, and other attractions, not just gambling, to ensure it appeals to a broad audience.
Regional casino context
The call for a casino in Songkhla follows Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s recent decision not to issue a second casino licence. This decision came after unverified reports suggested discussions about a potential casino near Singapore’s border. Despite these denials, the interest in expanding casino operations in the region is evident. Thailand, with the potential establishment of its first integrated resorts, is becoming a focal point for the land-based casino industry.
Thailand’s move to legalise casino
Last month, the Thai government took a significant step towards the legalisation of casinos within integrated resorts, with the cabinet endorsing a report from a special House committee that recommends this course of action.
