Tourism leaders in Thailand are urging the government to slow down its efforts to legalize casinos through the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, warning that rushing the process could spark public backlash and damage the fragile tourism sector.
Their concerns come amid rising political tension and speculation about a possible early dissolution of the House, according to the Bangkok Post.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association, emphasized that the industry’s main priority is economic recovery and regional stability—not fast-tracking controversial legislation. He pointed out that the Entertainment Complex Bill has faced repeated criticism and warned that moving forward without public consultation, especially with government claims that no referendum is needed, could further inflame opposition.
While Chaiyapatranun acknowledged the positive impact of the government’s THB157 billion (US$4.3 billion) stimulus package, he argued that without a clear legislative draft and public buy-in, the private sector cannot fully support the casino initiative. He called for more transparency and urged the administration to consider holding a referendum before proceeding.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn of the Association of Thai Travel Agents also voiced concerns about ongoing political instability, which he said has eroded business confidence. He criticized the constant turnover in tourism leadership, which has disrupted long-term planning and policy implementation.
The Bhumjaithai Party, which controls 69 seats in parliament, has previously expressed discomfort with the casino bill, and its distancing from the initiative adds further hurdles. This week, public resistance intensified with a petition signed by over 53,000 people demanding a national referendum on legalizing casinos.
