The head of global online travel agency Agoda said Wednesday that the potential development of Thailand’s first legal casinos would provide a significant boost to tourism – even as he predicted a record year for visitor arrivals in 2025.
Omri Morgenshtern, Agoda’s CEO, made the comments during a media event in Bangkok, with Reuters reporting his views that casinos could be a game-changer for the nation.
“It’s the experience around gambling,” Morgenshtern said. “Think about Macau and Vegas – usually it comes with crazy shows, food and amazing hotels.”
He also noted that casino resorts do not have seasonality in the same way some other tourist attractions do, meaning they can help boost visitation to Thailand even in the low season. Amusement parks, museums and activities for children would be important additions, however.
Thailand is aiming to attract 40 million tourists in 2025, which would if achieved beat the previous record of 39.9 million in 2019. Foreign visitation though the first 10 months of 2024 is up 29% over the same period last year and on track to meet the target of 36.7 million arrivals.
“Unless there’s an external event that we can’t foresee and unless we do something wrong, I think there’s a chance we’ll cross the 2019 number of tourist arrivals into Thailand,” Morgenshtern added Wednesday, reported by Bloomberg. “Our data suggests that Thailand is very addictive. About 46% of travelers that we see are coming for a second or third or fourth time.”
Thailand’s “entertainment complex” bill is expected to pass through parliament early next year, with the government currently preparing to enter talks with its coalition partners and other stakeholders before moving forward.
While there has been no decision yet on where such complexes would be located, it has previously been suggested that up to five IRs may be built initially, including up to three in Bangkok.
According to the draft bill, licensees will be granted an initial 30-year license term, reviewable every five years, while there are 10 business types listed that can form part of Thailand’s “integrated entertainment venues” – Department store; Hotel; Restaurant, nightclub, discotheque, pub or bar; Stadium; Yacht and Cruising Club; Gaming; Swimming pool and water park; Amusement park; Area for promoting Thai culture and OTOP products; Other businesses as specified by the Policy Committee.
An entry levy of no more than TBH5,000 (US$148) is expected to be charged to locals.
