Thai PM defends casino plan from critics with emphasis on responsible gaming
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (picture above from the Royal Thai Government) has taken a firm stance against critics of her government’s proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, accusing opponents of distorting facts and stirring public concern for political gain. Shinawatra underscored the project’s emphasis on responsible gambling and its broader role as a multi-use destination for tourism and economic growth.
Speaking during her monthly Empowering Thais television programme aired at the state-owned Thai Television Station (NBT), Shinawatra dismissed allegations that the development would usher in social problems, insisting the plan mirrors global trends in tourism and is underpinned by rigorous safeguards. She stated that gambling would be just one part of a larger complex, which would also feature hotels, convention centres and concert venues.
The government, she said, is following a model similar to that of Singapore, with strict regulation at its core. Entry to gaming areas would be subject to background checks, and only those meeting financial and legal criteria would be allowed access. The initiative, she argued, is designed to avoid attracting vulnerable gamblers and to prevent casinos from becoming centres of unchecked betting.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the project would rely entirely on private and foreign capital. This approach, she noted, would not impact public funds but would allow the state to earn tax revenue from the entertainment and gaming sectors. She framed the initiative as an opportunity to drive investment, create employment, and support year-round tourism in Thailand.
Opposition raised concerns over crime and regulation
Despite assurances from the government, opposition voices have maintained a steady critique of the casino proposal. On the same day as the prime minister’s televised remarks, Thanakorn Komkrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, voiced fresh concerns about the risk of criminal activity tied to casino operations.
Referring to a 2024 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, Komkrit warned that casinos in Southeast Asia have already been linked to money laundering, particularly in jurisdictions where financial oversight is weaker. He cited common laundering tactics such as using gambling chips to disguise illicit funds, cross-border VIP junkets, and the layering of financial transactions to obscure the origin of money.
He questioned whether Thailand was ready to implement the necessary financial safeguards, arguing that unless robust frameworks were in place, the country risked creating a “24/7 laundering convenience”.
The report’s findings have been taken up by other critics who argue that while the government promises regulation, enforcement remains a challenge. They caution that without comprehensive monitoring mechanisms, including cooperation with international financial watchdogs, casinos could become channels for illicit finance.
Thailand seeks to catch up with regional competitors
The entertainment complex proposal is part of a broader attempt by Thailand to modernise its tourism infrastructure and compete with destinations like Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Shinawatra cited Japan’s post-Expo 2025 plan to transform the Osaka expo site into an entertainment hub as a model Thailand could emulate.
She argued that relying solely on traditional tourism assets like beaches and temples is no longer sufficient. Manmade attractions, she said, are essential to keep Thailand relevant in the global tourism market.
The government insists that the long-term benefits of the project, from boosting tax revenues to job creation, outweigh the risks, provided regulatory frameworks are upheld. Nevertheless, the debate around legalised gambling and its place in Thai society is far from settled, with both economic promise and social risk at the forefront of public discourse.
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