Tourism operators in the Thai province of Songkhla have signaled that they want one of the country’s first integrated resorts (IRs) with gaming. The Thai government is now reviewing a plan that would legalize casinos in up to eight locations in the Buddhist kingdom, which has traditionally frowned on gambling as a pastime.
Songkhla is located in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. As reported by the Bangkok Post, its tourism sector is variable and over-reliant on Malaysians, who comprise the lion’s share of visitors to the popular Hat Yai section.
Songchai Mungprasithichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, said an IR with a casino could diversify the overall visitor base, and boost tourism to Ban Dan Nok, the main entry point to the south.
“Tourism operators in Ban Dan Nok said the market is quiet,” he noted, per GGRAsia. “Even in Hat Yai, tourist flows are not consistent as in the past, with 90 percent of the foreign market hailing from Malaysia during festivals, and now they have more choices than Hat Yai.”
Mungprasithichai added that Songkhla’s proximity to Malaysia’s Resorts World Genting would be a plus, giving Genting patrons an alternative. Songkhla is about 340 miles from Genting Highlands, site of the sole legal casino resort in Malaysia.
In March, 253 of 257 House members in Thailand voted in favor of a feasibility study on IRs. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also supports the initiative, which could curb illegal gambling, beef up government coffers and attract foreign investment.
According to the Thailand Business News, legal casinos also could boost tourism in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
Until then, Mungprasithichai says it’s vital to demonstrate the benefits of IRs to the public. He called for a campaign to inform people of the potential for new jobs and economic growth.
“For the entertainment complex plan to run smoothly, it must address the economic impact on locals, helping them to understand that the development would welcome all segments with other attractions such as hotels and shopping, not only gambling.”
He also addressed religious reservations, saying, “Despite being an Islamic country, Malaysia allows legal casinos in Genting.”
