SOUTH EAST ASIA 16
THAILAND
Could the Thai IR dream come true this time around? While the industry isn’t waiting with baited breath, there was a rare piece of good news to emerge recently that Thailand’s government is prepared to take another look at introducing regulated casinos.
T
he country has long been considered one of the most promising in the region by foreign casino investors, however, unsuccessful efforts by consecutive governments to overcome deep-seated conservative and religious opposition have meant the plans have failed to materialize. This time around it’s the devastation wrought by Covid that has put the issue back on the table. The Thai government is planning a threemonth study into the potential of establishing integrated resorts with a casino in the country to help to rebuild its battered tourism economy. Parliament voted overwhelmingly 310 to
Asia Gaming Briefings | December 2021
nine in favour of setting up an extraordinary committee to look into the proposal. The committee will have 60 members, with 15 representatives from the cabinet and 45 from other political parties. It is expected to take 90 days. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam was cited as saying by the newspaper that the proposal hasn’t materialized in the past as it’s a delicate issue that pits moral values against economic considerations. He said the committee will need to study these moral issues, as well as an appropriate legal framework to ensure the industry is properly regulated and taxed. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, an MP
and leader of the Thai Civilized Party, will reportedly set up four sub-panels when the extraordinary committee convenes. The panels will study the operating and regulatory models in other countries. Thailand’s economy is one of the most tourism-dependent in Asia, ranking eighth in total tourism arrivals in 2019, with a record high of 40 million visitors. Although the government has been seeking to promote domestic tourism to keep the industry afloat, domestic travellers are estimated to spend about $152 a head compared with $1,543 for international travellers, according to a McKinsey report.
