Thailand senate to review casino legalisation bill

Thailand’s Senate has announced plans to establish a special committee to examine the potential effects of legalising casinos within entertainment complexes.

Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong confirmed that two related motions will be discussed at the next Senate meeting, with the formation of the committee expected to follow.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is set to resume its own review of the bill, which had been delayed due to other legislative priorities. The proposal has drawn growing criticism, with concerns that it was introduced too quickly and lacks a solid research base.

A major point of debate is a provision requiring Thai citizens to maintain at least THB 50 million in fixed deposits for six months to gain casino access. Detractors argue the condition is both unrealistic and socially exclusionary.

Some senators are in favour of conducting a public referendum before any final decision is made. Civic groups and opposition parties have also raised objections, submitting petitions urging Parliament to reject the bill and consider its broader societal impact.

Protests are anticipated outside Parliament as discussions continue, with critics accusing the Government of fast-tracking the legislation while overlooking more urgent national issues. Concerns have also been raised over the apparent lack of interest from global casino operators in entering the Thai market at this point.

While opinions in the Senate remain divided, the decision to form a review committee suggests a more measured and deliberate approach to the proposal going forward.