On June 19, the prime minister of Thailand used his first monthly televised address to promote a plan that would bring as many as eight legal integrated resorts (IRs) with gaming to the country.
According to Bloomberg News, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said legal casinos would tax and regulate gambling and help to put illegal operations out of business. “We have to admit that underground gambling is a serious problem and should be solved by legalizing,” he said.
In March, a majority of the 500-member House of Representatives supported a plan for IRs as a way to draw international tourists. According to a government estimate, the entertainment complexes could generate tax revenues of 12 billion baht (US$327 million) in the first year of operation.
The Singapore Business Times says the traditionally Buddhist kingdom has moved closer to “a more liberal landscape” in an effort to build post-pandemic tourism. Last week, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat told reporters that a feasibility study compiled by 17 government agencies will be submitted to the cabinet for review no later than July 20.
