Thailand is pressing on with plans to introduce entertainment complexes, which will feature dedicated casino properties, in at least four possible locations, with as many as six operators possibly bidding for an entry in the country’s future market, as previously suggested by Inside Asian Gaming.

Tourism and MPs Sound Alarm over Casino Legalization

The issue remains as divisive as ever, however, with academics cautioning that Thailand is ill-equipped to deal with monitoring and overseeing a sector that is prone to corruption such as regulated gambling. At the same time, the government has released new data indicating that there was strong support among locals to legalize casino resorts.

A survey interviewed 70,000 people, the majority of whom supported the new law, and it comes on the back of a similar study that showed that consumers are worried about new and violent conflict, the entrenchment of well-connected business interests, and corruption.

The potential economic windfall expected from the legalization of entertainment complexes and specifically casinos on-site has been debatable to many people. Now, the opposition People’s Party has cautioned against the legalization of casinos in entertainment complexes as this could cause a dip in the number of tourists visiting from China, another important additive to the Thai economy.

Beijing has been known to take a particular interest in the gambling industries of regional countries, including Singapore, Cambodia, and the Philippines. China could end up “discouraging” its citizens from visiting Thailand precisely because of the legalization of gambling properties, the People’s Party said.

Member of Parliament Parit Wacharasindhu has stated that China has been in the habit of discouraging overseas tourism to destinations that host gambling, as Beijing wants citizens to spend their money on local consumption and generally avoid “immoral” pastimes even if they are abroad.

“We learned during the prime minister’s official visit to China last month President Xi asked her three times about the casino policy. This should raise questions about whether this policy creates risks, as it might prompt the Chinese government to adjust policy, making travel to Thailand more difficult,” Parit added.
MP Parit Wacharasindhu

Beijing Uneasy over Thailand’s Gambling Proposal

Similarly, The Association of Thai Travel Agents president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn has similarly argued that the association has been discussion the matter with Chinese counterparts who have been “uneasy” about the possibility of the country hosting numerous casino properties that specifically target foreign tourists.

Beijing, too, is worried about the same issue raised by Thai academics recently, i.e., that corruption and weak law enforcement would result in crime, and potentially violent crime against its citizens, including money laundering and other associated activities.