Thailand’s House of Representatives has approved a report proposing the establishment of integrated resorts with casinos in various locations across the country – paving the way for a more detailed examination of the pros and cons of legalized casinos.
The comprehensive report, compiled by a special House committee last year, was deliberated over the course of three hours on Thursday before being approved by a count of 310 votes to nine, The Bangkok Post reports.
However, the positive vote does not actually legalize casino gaming. Instead, the report and any comments from MPs will now be forwarded to the government for further consideration including a more in-depth study of the economic benefits of such a move.
“A decision on the casino-entertainment complex project is likely to be made by the next government,” said committee member Pakornwut Udompipatsakul of the Move Forward Party (MFP).
“It can’t happen within two or three years and most importantly public hearings and even a referendum among locals must be organized.”
The report recommends the development of legalized casinos within broader entertainment complexes in up to five locations nationwide, with Bangkok and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) – which includes the likes of Pattaya and Rayong – named as the most suitable locations.
It also calls for casino areas to comprise no more than 5% of the toral IR floor space, with the remainder to incorporate attractions such as five-star hotels, shopping malls, beauty and spa parlours, amusement parks, zoos, and indoor and outdoor sports stadiums.
Entry to casinos would be open to foreigners and locals of 21 years and above although the latter would need to show that they held at least THB500,000 (US$15,000) in their accounts for the previous six months.
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