Thailand eyes GDP growth of 0.8% with $3B casino resort investment
Thailand’s government has announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to legalise integrated entertainment complexes with casinos, aiming to have the legislation approved before the current administration’s term ends in 2027. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s coalition government, led by the Pheu Thai Party, is pushing to finalise the “Thailand Entertainment Complex” bill during this time, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat and Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Suksit Srichomkwan.
The bill, which will be debated in Parliament starting July, is a strategic effort to stimulate the economy through private investment, particularly during Thailand’s mid-year low tourism season.
Strict entry rules and strong regulatory framework
Casinos will form just 10% of each complex, with robust restrictions on Thai citizens. Locals must show proof of at least THB50 million (US$1.5 million) in fixed deposits and pay a THB5,000 ($152) entry fee. “It is not a ‘free casino’ or ‘liberalised gambling’ project,” Suksit emphasised. “The integrated casino facilities will not be open to all and will be subject to stringent anti-money laundering measures and robust security protocols,” he added.
All financial transactions will be recorded and monitored. The government has explicitly ruled out online gambling and promised advertising restrictions, entry bans for financially at-risk individuals, and high levels of security.
Economic projections and social investment
The entertainment complexes are expected to generate between THB12.04 billion and THB39.25 billion ($353 million to $1.15 billion) in annual state revenue. Tourist spending per visit is projected to rise from the current THB6,000–7,000 ($176–205) to around THB22,000 ($645). Thailand’s GDP could grow by 0.23% during construction and 0.2% to 0.8% annually once operational.
Julapun stated, “The country needs change; it needs a new engine of growth for the economy.” Revenue will fund education, youth development, health services, and community initiatives.
Large-scale complexes to attract international visitors
The new entertainment complexes will have places like exhibition centres, theme parks, luxury hotels, indoor concert halls, and green open spaces, similar to famous spots like Disneyland and Universal Studios. Suksit said that top-quality indoor stadiums are very important because they are needed to host big concerts, esports tournaments, and international sports events.
The developments will include high-end restaurants, business incubation hubs, and OTOP (One Tambon One Product) centres. Officials noted that venues like Rajamangala Stadium are not fit for international concerts, with each event requiring THB6 million ($176,000) to re-lay the turf.
Learning from Singapore and Japan
Thailand is positioning itself to follow successful regional examples. Suksit cited Singapore’s entertainment complexes, which contribute 1–2% to GDP, create around 20,000 jobs, and have attracted THB300 billion in investment. Singapore’s tourism grew 47% from 2010 to 2022 after launching its integrated resorts.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s entertainment complexes generated THB320 billion in 2022, Macau THB1.2 trillion, and Singapore THB430 billion—figures Thailand hopes to emulate.
Private sector-funded, with high entry barriers for investors
Investment in the projects will be entirely private. Companies must be registered in Thailand, have a paid-up capital of at least THB10 billion, and submit detailed business plans. Julapun said that firms can form consortiums to manage different segments of the complexes.
Casino licences, once approved, will run for 30 years with a possible 10-year extension. Minimum investment per complex is THB100 billion ($3 billion). Proposed sites include Bangkok, Chon Buri (near Pattaya), Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Strong global interest and oversight
Julapun confirmed that four leading international resort developers have approached Thai officials, including Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International. “The two investors we’ve spoken with have shown significant interest in investing in Thailand,” he said. They believe Thailand could become the world’s third-largest entertainment complex market, after Las Vegas and Macau.
Rosalind Wade, CEO of Winna Media and organiser of the Thailand Entertainment Complex Summit, said, “While international interest remains robust, most are still waiting for the finer details of the bill to be published.”
Timeline and legislative process
The bill will enter Parliament in July for its first reading, after being delayed in April due to public opposition. “Once it is listed as Agenda 1 and a committee is appointed, it will follow the legal process and is expected to be completed within the term of the current government, or by 2027,” Julapun said.
If not passed before the government’s term ends, the bill risks being scrapped by a future administration. However, Julapun expressed confidence in its approval: “The government is not concerned that the law will not be approved by Parliament, as it was proposed by the Cabinet, which holds the majority.”
Social safeguards and public engagement
Officials have stressed transparency and legal compliance at every stage. Suksit confirmed that casino operations will undergo public consultations, Request for Concept (RFC), and Request for Proposal (RFP) processes. The bill has already been amended to reflect public and expert feedback.
A roundtable event, the Thailand Entertainment Complex Roundtable (TECR), will bring together global operators and stakeholders to further discuss the future of casino entertainment in Thailand.
“This is Thailand’s opportunity,” Julapun concluded. “The country needs change; it needs a new engine of growth for the economy,” he added.
