Thailand has made a significant change to the proposed entry criteria for its upcoming casino-entertainment complex, removing a challenging financial requirement. Previously, Thai nationals had to show proof of having 50 million Baht in a fixed deposit to gain entry to the facility. Now, they will only need to prove that they have filed tax returns for the last three years.
This shift in policy, outlined in Section 65 of the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, follows consultations with the government’s legal advisors, the Council of State. The advisors recommended a more practical approach that would allow broader participation, in response to public feedback.
The new draft legislation, revised with public input, was signed off by Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Minister of the Interior before being forwarded to the cabinet secretariat in late February. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira noted that recent public feedback played a key role in the decision to ease the requirements.
The original financial stipulation, which applied to a very small number of Thais—around 10,000 individuals—was seen as exclusionary. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat explained that the requirement was unlikely to have had much appeal to the majority of the population and might have driven some toward illegal gambling alternatives. “The revised draft adjusts to reality, ensuring more legitimate participation and aligns with state and community welfare,” Amornvivat said.
The updated bill now includes a 5,000 Baht entrance fee along with the tax filing requirement, which is seen as a more accessible threshold for most people. This revision is expected to make the casino complex more inclusive while still maintaining checks on potential abuse.
With the changes in place, the government plans to move forward with presenting the bill to the cabinet, aiming for potential approval during the current parliamentary session.
However, the bill has sparked opposition, particularly from protest groups such as the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform and the Dharma Army. These groups have voiced concerns about the negative societal, religious, and economic consequences they believe the casino could bring. They have submitted a formal complaint to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, urging a reconsideration of the legislation.
While the government seeks to balance economic growth with cultural and community sensitivities, the debate over the legalisation of gambling remains contentious. As Thailand continues to move toward a regulated casino environment, the impact of this shift on its society and economy remains to be seen.
