Critics call for withdrawal of casino bill in Thailand as tourism drops
A proposed bill to legalise casinos under the Entertainment Complex Bill has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers and civic groups, who argue that the policy is being rushed without public consensus. Critics are also calling for the withdrawal of a second bill that would amend existing gambling laws to allow online betting.
The Stop Gambling Foundation, joined by public health and community leaders, submitted a petition to the Prime Minister’s Office urging the government to reconsider the proposals. Demonstrators raised concerns over the long-term social impact of legalised gambling, including increased household debt and domestic violence in low-income communities.
The foundation pointed out that the current political climate and economic challenges should take precedence. Critics also noted that entertainment complexes lack clear structures for public oversight and accountability, pointing out that social safeguards are missing from the draft legislation.
The People’s Party (PP) joined the opposition, with MP and spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu stating that prioritising the bill exposes the government’s unstable parliamentary support. He noted that the Cabinet’s failure to pass a resolution to withdraw the bill means it will now be debated first when Parliament resumes on 9 July. Parliamentary resistance is expected to intensify as the bill becomes a focal point for assessing the government’s commitment to transparency and social responsibility.
Tourist arrivals fall in first half of 2025
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported that Thailand experienced a 4.56 percent decline in international arrivals in the first six months of 2025, with 16.6 million tourists generating 768.2 billion baht ($23.7 billion) in revenue, according to data released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Despite the overall decline, specific source markets showed increased activity. Malaysia led all foreign markets with over 2.29 million arrivals, followed by China, India, Russia, and South Korea. Growth was noted from long-haul destinations and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, especially during the last week of June, when the Muslim New Year holiday boosted arrivals from Malaysia and Indonesia.
In that final week of June alone, foreign visitors rose by 9.12 percent compared to the previous week, with Malaysia and Indonesia showing double-digit percentage increases. The summer holiday period in Europe and school breaks in China are expected to sustain or improve arrival numbers into July.
Tourism plans face questions as casino bill advances
With tourism figures still recovering and showing mixed performance, observers have raised questions about the government’s focus. Industry stakeholders and civil society organisations argue that resources would be better spent improving infrastructure and public services for tourists rather than pushing forward legislation that could carry complex social costs.
