Thailand's government is advancing plans to introduce integrated entertainment complexes with casino facilities, with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirming that casino operating licences will be allocated through an open bidding process.
Key points:
- Licences for Thai casinos will be awarded through open bidding, with an emphasis on tourism and tax benefits
- The entertainment complexes will include various attractions, with casinos occupying less than 10% of the space
- The initiative aims to create jobs, boost tourism and improve the national economy
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced that licences for casinos within Thailand’s proposed new entertainment complexes will be awarded through an open bidding process.
The government bill, which aims to legalise and regulate these entertainment complexes, is expected to pass into law this year.
A primary committee will be established to develop detailed regulations, with the scheme anticipated to commence next year.
Thaksin assured that the bidding process will be open to all interested parties, focusing on proposals that offer significant tourism benefits and increased tax revenue for the government.
Good to know: The complexes will include diverse attractions such as sports stadiums, conference halls, water parks and ice-skating arenas, aiming to attract a broad range of tourists
He dismissed concerns about opposition within coalition parties and the necessity of a public referendum, stating that the government would proceed if the majority supported the initiative.
Addressing concerns about potential social issues, including money laundering, Thaksin clarified that casinos would constitute less than 10% of the entertainment complexes, similar to models in Las Vegas and Singapore.
The initiative is projected to create around 20,000 jobs per site, with each employee earning a minimum monthly wage of 20,000 baht ($587).
Thaksin highlighted the economic potential of these complexes to alleviate national debt and improve the standard of living for Thai citizens.
Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub added that the entertainment complexes are expected to boost tourism, with projections indicating a return to pre-COVID tourist numbers of over 40 million annually.
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