Increased public resistance to legalized casinos has forced the government to react
Thailand’s push to legalize casino gambling has been slowed down following growing public concern. The government, led by the Pheu Thai Party, has opted to move the proposed casino-entertainment bill to the bottom of its legislative agenda, signaling a significant delay in plans to bring casino resorts to the country.
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri confirmed that the decision was made in response to public sentiment rather than political pressure. She explained that the shift in priority allows Parliament to focus on other draft laws when it reconvenes, such as those related to political amnesty and social unity.
The bill had been scheduled for initial debate on July 9. It was designed to introduce integrated entertainment complexes that would include casinos, though gambling facilities were only expected to account for around 10% of the overall space in each development. Still, the casino component has sparked widespread criticism from the public and civil society groups concerned about potential social harm and gambling addiction.
While supporters have framed the proposal as an economic development opportunity—similar to resort-style complexes in Singapore or Macau—resistance from local communities appears to have outweighed the promise of tourism and revenue. Public debate has intensified in recent weeks, with some groups calling for further studies and public input before any form of gambling is legalized.
Meanwhile, the government is moving forward with other legislative priorities, including the THB20 (roughly US$0.62) flat fare policy for Bangkok’s electric train system. Three of four related bills have already passed committee review, and the final bill is expected to follow soon. If enacted, the fare change could take effect between September and October.
While the casino legislation isn’t off the table entirely, its delay indicates that lawmakers are treading carefully in the face of public backlash, with no clear timeline for when the proposal might return for serious consideration.
