Thailand Seeks Public Clarity on Entertainment Complex Plans Before Proceeding

The Thai government has sent a clear message – entertainment complexes will be happening, and they are supposedly good for the economy. However, the message has not reached everyone.

Academics and ordinary citizens have cited multiple concerns about the proposed plans, arguing that a string of casinos would only serve to entrench shadowy financial interests and further corner the supply chain, leaving out poorer people from lucrative parts of the economy.

Thailand May Do Some Soul-Searching Before Moving with Casinos

Now, heeding those concerns, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has said that the government has agreed to put a stop to a planned hearing due on July 9. Rather, the government will take its time to try and clarify to the public what entertainment complexes are meant to be, and what they seek to achieve.

Transparency is important, the minister noted, and this is why Thailand is seeking to ensure that its citizens and other groups are informed about entertainment complexes.

A recent survey indicated that the majority of people, 56.72% according to a recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), opposed casinos in entertainment complexes. This is still slightly fewer people than in previous surveys.

Interestingly, 84.15% of people opposed the idea of entertainment complexes and casinos if the government does not play a part in their development. In other words, locals mistrust private interests, and it’s these fears that the government is hoping to assuage.

In the meantime, Thailand may need to reassess its strategy as a flare-up across the border with Cambodia has seen both countries retaliate economically with unclear consequences. It’s not just the public that has been concerned about the arrival of entertainment complexes.

Senators have also been pondering whether the proposal has failed to muster enough support from locals as well as fellow lawmakers. A Senate committee is even recommending the withdrawal of the current proposal that should see entertainment complexes come to the country.

Casinos May Not Be in Thailand’s Long-Term Interest

Senator Veerapun Suvannamai has highlighted the social and economic risks that may undermine the country’s long-term development. Of course, this contrasts with the opinion that casinos can significantly boost the country’s tourism sector, which, proponents fear, would start losing steam to neighbors who have been legalizing and building casinos instead.

Cambodia also has casinos across the border with Thailand, which means that Thai money is being spent abroad.

However, it would be difficult to argue that the government is particularly interested in liberalizing the gambling market locally, as a not-yet-dead proposal also sought to obligate anyone gambling in the country of Thai nationality to also hold a significant amount of money in a fixed deposit before they can play.