A House committee studying the feasibility of legalising casinos in Thailand will submit to the government a plan to develop five casinos nationwide – one in each of its five regions.
According to The Bangkok Post, the progress of the feasibility study was discussed in parliament on Wednesday including early ideas around locations, tax rates and clientele plus the potential for online gambling.
With Bangkok seen as the number one location, the committee said this week that another four casino resorts could be built in other regions. These would include a casino to the north in either Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai, to the south in Phuket, Phangnga or Krabi, to the northeast in Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani or Khon Kaen, plus a central casino in Pattaya.
Pichet Chuamuangphan, second deputy chairman of the House committee, said the government would look to private investment firms to develop each complex with a 30% tax rate in place.
He also revealed that individuals would need to be 20 years old to enter and be “of good financial standing” to gamble. State officials would need a valid permit to gain entry.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed and a full proposal submitted by November.
Thailand remains one of only three ASEAN nations without legal casinos, alongside the Muslim-majority nations of Indonesia and Brunei, although it has been estimated that as many as half of its adult population gambles via illegal means. With a population of almost 70 million, Thailand is the world’s 20th most populous country.
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