Delay in passage of casino legislation anticipated with the formation of a new government cabinet
In a significant development, Thailand's controversial entertainment complex bill, which includes provisions for casinos, has been postponed and deprioritized in the parliamentary agenda. Originally scheduled for the first reading on July 9, 2025, the bill is now undergoing a period of greater public understanding and review by the newly formed cabinet.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat, speaking at a forum hosted by the Press Council of Thailand, confirmed that the decision to delay the bill is primarily to allow for further review and ease political tensions. The government is considering either delaying deliberation or formally withdrawing the bill for a thorough review by the new ministers following a major cabinet reshuffle.
Despite the postponement, the government denies that it is yielding to opposition pressure and insists that it still has enough support within the coalition to pass the bill when ready. Public opinion remains divided, with opposition to entertainment complexes with casinos still above 50% according to recent polls.
Visuth Chainaroon, the chief government whip, called for the withdrawal of the bill due to the coalition's slim majority and an unfavorable political climate. Government whips and cabinet representatives have discussed the possibility of delaying the bill for a thorough review by the new ministers. Visuth Chainaroon also suggested that if the new cabinet is ready, it can resubmit the bill after engaging with the public first, given the bill's wide-ranging repercussions.
Meanwhile, calls for the government to address ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tensions before proceeding with the entertainment complex bill have been made. The formal withdrawal of the entertainment complex bill typically requires a resolution by the cabinet.
In summary, the entertainment complex bill is currently delayed and moved down the agenda to allow more time for public understanding and cabinet review. A formal decision to delay or withdraw for further review by the new cabinet is imminent but has not yet been finalized. The government remains committed to revisiting the bill with fresh input from new ministers and maintains coalition support for eventual passage.
- The postponement of the controversial entertainment complex bill in Thailand, which includes provisions for casinos, is causing a stir in the realm of business and finance, as government decisions could significantly impact the economy and the gaming industry.
- The delay of the entertainment complex bill, a subject of controversy in Thailand's parliamentary agenda, is also creating waves in the political and general-news sectors, with debates centered around opposition pressure, coalition support, and addressing ongoing geopolitical issues like the Thai-Cambodian border tensions.
