Entertainment Complex Bill

Entertainment Complex Bill (draft) ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร
Parliament of Thailand
Territorial extent	Thailand
Introduced by	Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party
Status: Withdrawn

The Entertainment Complex Bill (Thai: ร่างพระราชบัญญัติการประกอบธุรกิจสถานบันเทิงครบวงจร) was a proposed law to legalize entertainment complexes, a term for integrated resorts with casinos, in Thailand. The bill was introduced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, a member of Pheu Thai Party.^[1] The government claimed that the complexes would attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht. Reaction to the bill was mostly negative and it was officially withdrawn on 9 July 2025.^[2]

Under the Gambling Act, most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand.^[3] The Thai government expected the legislation to reduce illegal gambling, generate revenue and attract investment.^[3][4] Some Thai-language forums and media outlets had reported growing interest from international gaming operators, as well as debate among citizens about the long-term social impact of legalized gambling.

In September 2024, the Thai government announced it would proceed with plans to introduce casinos, following an online public hearing showing strong support for a "mega entertainment complex" housing a casino.^[5][6]

In October 2024, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced the draft bill would be submitted to the Cabinet of Thailand for consideration later in the year.^[7] According to a study conducted by the Fiscal Policy Office, establishing entertainment complexes is projected to attract an additional 5–20% of foreign tourists and increase visitor spending from 40,000 to 60,000 baht.^[7]

On 13 January 2025, the cabinet approved the draft bill,^[1][8] and it was sent to Parliament for deliberation.^[8]

On 27 March 2025, the cabinet approved another draft, imposing entry restrictions on Thai citizens.^[9] The draft would require an entry fee of 5,000 baht and proof of at least 50 million baht ($1.47 million) in bank deposits.^[9] Additional restrictions included limiting casino usage to 10% of the entertainment complex space.^[9] A preliminary reading of the bill was scheduled for 9 April 2025.^[10]

Following public opposition and criticism by the Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob, the bill was postponed until the next parliamentary session, which began on 2 July 2025.^[10][11] Deliberation of the bill was planned to be held on 9 July. However, on 7 July, the bill was withdrawn in the aftermath of the Thailand–Cambodia phone call leak scandal which led to the suspension of the Prime Minister.^[12][13][14]

The bill would have required entertainment complexes to be operated by Thai-registered corporations.^[4][15] Another proposed amendment would have required that only Thais holding at least 50 million baht would be able to enter casinos.^[16]

On 9 March 2025 the former leader of the red-shirt faction, Jatuporn Prompan, called for a protest against the bill.^[17]

The bill faced opposition particularly from Thai Muslims living in Southern Thailand, in part due to resentment of Thaksin Shinawatra and his former government's policies in the region.^[18] The Prachachat Party, a member of the current governing coalition, expressed opposition to the bill.^[18]

On 9 April, hundreds protested against the bill in front of Thailand's parliament.^[18] Approximately 1,200 demonstrators participated, including those from the Network of Students and People Reforming Thailand and the Anti-Casino alliance.^[11]

• Gaming law