Thailand’s Council of State completes review of Entertainment Complex bill

February 18, 2025

Thailand’s Council of State completes review of Entertainment Complex bill

The Council of State, Thailand’s legal advisory body, has completed its review of the Entertainment Complex Bill. The bill will now undergo an online public consultation until 1 March, allowing stakeholders to raise concerns before it is presented to parliament.

Bangkok Post quoted Atavit Suwanpakdee, chairman of an advisory board to the Minister of Industry, saying that while some amendments had been made, the core provisions remained intact. One key requirement states that casinos only occupy up to 10 percent of an entertainment venue. However, there is still no clarity on how many entertainment complexes will be approved or where they will be located.

Suwanpakdee supported the concept of full-service entertainment complexes but stressed the need for clear definitions regarding size and proportion. He also highlighted the necessity of implementing safeguards to address potential social problems, such as gambling addiction.

Casino regulations and entry controls

The bill sets out strict conditions for casino operations within entertainment complexes. It specifies that a casino cannot exceed 10 percent of the total land area of a complex or, if located within a building, must not take up more than 10 percent of the total floor space.

Casinos must be physically separated from other businesses within the complex to ensure security and compliance. Entry and exit points must have control protocols, requiring visitors to present passports, national identity cards, or other forms of identification.

Last week, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra explained that entertainment complexes will be primarily designed as family-friendly destinations. The developments, she said, aim to enhance tourism, support local businesses, and create employment opportunities.

Public opposition and political response

Opposition to the bill remains strong. Various groups, including the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, have submitted a petition against the legislation. Protesters argue that Thailand’s weak enforcement mechanisms could allow casinos to become hubs for illicit financial activities.

The local media quoted Pichit Chaimongkol, a protest leader, issuing a warning that if the bill passes, loopholes could be exploited, leading to widespread money laundering and other illegal activities. He vowed to continue opposing the legislation and warned that protests could escalate if the bill is submitted to the cabinet.

Meanwhile, political opposition to the government’s stance on entertainment complexes is mounting. The Thai Sang Thai Party (TST) has announced plans to challenge the administration over what it describes as an attempt to legalise casinos under the guise of entertainment hubs. The opposition is set to file a no-confidence motion against the government on 27 February, further intensifying the debate over the future of Thailand’s gambling regulations.

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