Only time will tell how successful the Thai Entertainment Complex Roundtable (TECR) has been in promoting a fact-based narrative around the legalization of casino gaming in Thailand. However, there is no doubt the event – which brought together for the first time influential voices from both side of the equation for a respectful and informative discussion – has already helped spread the word about what an entertainment complex, or integrated resort, really is and how the world’s best operators implement strong safeguards to mitigate money laundering, problem gambling and other concerns.
As George Tanasijevich – former President and CEO of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands noted during his opening presentation at TECR, regulated casino gaming can and has been shown to reduce instances of problem gambling, particularly in previously unregulated markets where illegal, underground gambling was known to be rife.
The audience at TECR represented a diverse cross-section of Thai society, including politicians from both sides of the political divide, as well as captains of industry, academics, bureaucrats and NGO leaders.
While it seems unlikely that those who opposed the government’s casino legislation on political grounds will change their mind, TECR has already proved successful in pushing some evidence-based messaging into the public sphere thanks to the approximately 40 local media representatives who attended the day’s proceedings.
Within hours of Thursday’s event concluding more than a dozen articles had been published across local media and have been growing by the day.
Tanasijevich, who guided Las Vegas Sands through Singapore’s RFP process in 2005, explained during his presentation that Thailand must decide for itself whether entertainment complexes were the way forward but stressed such opportunities don’t present themselves often.
“You are facing a situation here where you have an immense opportunity and would be wise to consider it carefully to make sure you understand it fully before you make a final decision,” he said.
“The reality is that these opportunities don’t come along frequently. The amount of economic impact that can come from this is absolutely huge and there would be a corresponding and related impact in so many important areas if [Thailand decides] to go forward with it.”
Some of the articles published in the Thai media as a direct result of TECR are listed below:
5-Jun-25
นักกฎหมาย เชื่อ ร่างพ.ร.บ.สถานบันเทิงครบวงจร เปิดฟังข้อเสนอเพื่อปรับแก้
Lawyer believes draft Entertainment Complex Act should incorporate public feedback for improvements
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629219
5-Jun-25
หนุนไทยดัน “สถานบันเทิงครบวงจร” เสริมท่องเที่ยวระดับไฮเอ็นด์
Support grows for Thailand to promote ‘Entertainment Complexes’ to boost high-end tourism
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629247
5-Jun-25
Entertainment Complex ควรมี 5 แห่ง ดึงเงินลงทุน 6 แสนล้าน
Entertainment Complexes should number five, attracting THB 600 billion in investment
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629233
5-Jun-25
ชี้โอกาสสถานบันเทิงครบวงจรไทย ดึง FDI ใหญ่สุดในประวัติศาสตร์
Entertainment Complexes seen as Thailand’s biggest-ever FDI opportunity
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629228
5-Jun-25
พริษฐ์ ติงรัฐฯขาดความโปร่งใส–ประชาชนมีส่วนร่วมใน Entertainment Complex
Parit criticizes government’s lack of transparency and public participation in Entertainment Complex project
https://www.posttoday.com/politics/725096
5-Jun-25
จอร์จ ธนาสวิช เอ็นเตอร์เทนเมนท์คอมเพล็กซ์ พลิกฟื้นเศรษฐกิจไทย
George Tanasijevich: Entertainment Complexes could revive the Thai economy
https://www.posttoday.com/smart-city/725075
5-Jun-25
TECR : เวทีเสวนาสถานบันเทิงครบวงจรไทย หาจุดร่วมสองมุมมอง
TECR: Thai Entertainment Complex forum seeks common ground between two perspectives
https://www.posttoday.com/smart-city/725074
5-Jun-25
Entertainment Complex โอกาสดึงเม็ดเงินมหาศาล สู่เศรษฐกิจยุคใหม่
Entertainment Complexes offer opportunity to channel vast capital into the new economy
https://www.posttoday.com/smart-city/725062
5-Jun-25
ทุนใหญ่ชี้ ‘เอนเตอร์เทนเมนต์คอมเพล็กซ์’ โอกาสไทยดึงลงทุนครั้งประวัติศาสตร์
Major investors see ‘Entertainment Complexes’ as a historic investment opportunity for Thailand
https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/business/economic/1183444
5-Jun-25
เสวนาโต๊ะกลมสถานบันเทิงครบวงจรไทย
Roundtable discussion on Thai Entertainment Complexes
https://tna.mcot.net/business-1539035
5-Jun-25
นักกม.ชี้เอนเตอร์เทนเมนต์คอมเพล็กซ์ไม่ใช่จุดรวม ‘ธุรกิจสีเทา‘
Lawyers stress that Entertainment Complexes are not hubs for ‘grey businesses’
https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/business/economic/1183395
5-Jun-25
พริษฐ์” ตั้ง 7 คำถาม 1 ทางออก ‘Entertainment Complex’ ถึงรัฐบาล
Parit poses 7 questions and 1 solution on ‘Entertainment Complexes’ to the government
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629273
5-Jun-25
สรุปเสวนา สถานบันเทิงครบวงจรของไทย (TECR) โอกาสครั้งสำคัญที่ควรคว้าไว้ ?
Summary of the Thai Entertainment Complex forum (TECR): a major opportunity Thailand should seize?
https://www.springnews.co.th/news/hot-issue/858214
5-Jun-25
‘คอมเพล็กซ์’ ไม่ใช่แค่คาสิโน ฟังมุมมองจากวงเสวนา TECR
‘Complexes’ are not just casinos — insights from the TECR forum
https://www.prachachat.net/economy/news-1823581
6-Jun-25
บทสรุปเสวนาโต๊ะกลม Entertainment Complex (TECR)
Summary of the Entertainment Complex (TECR) roundtable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_DlNxKP26I
6-Jun-25
IAG แนะวิธีทำความเข้าใจ Entertainment Complex อย่างรอบด้าน
IAG offers guidance on understanding Entertainment Complexes from all angles
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629286
6-Jun-25
ผ่า 3 มุมมองยักษ์ใหญ่ ศักยภาพ–โอกาส ‘สถานบันเทิงครบวงจร‘ ในไทย
Breaking down 3 major perspectives on the potential and opportunities of ‘Entertainment Complexes’ in Thailand
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/megaproject/629330
6-Jun-25
เคลียร์ปม ‘นักท่องเที่ยวจีน‘ จะลดลง ถ้าไทยมี Entertainment Complex?
Clarifying concerns: Will Chinese tourist numbers drop if Thailand develops Entertainment Complexes?
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/629314
