Members of Thailand and the federal parliament reportedly filed a special petition with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's right-wing coalition government calling for the legalization of casino gambling.
Lawmakers believe the move could rebuild the pandemic-hit economy by attracting foreign tourists and their cash to Las Vegas-style casino resorts in cities like Bangkok and Pattaya, according to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday. The source also explained that the request forms part of a broader campaign to move Thailand to a freer legal environment, including a move last month toward cannabis legalization and approval by same-sex unions.
Thailand is reportedly home to over 66 million people and is almost completely surrounded by countries that allow some forms of gambling, including Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia. The left-leaning Putai Party's Fishet Chuamuangpan reportedly said legalizing casinos in Thailand may provide cash to domestic travelers who have traveled abroad to gamble.
Chu Amuangpan is said to have said this...
"We are focused on attracting foreigners to step up tourism and pull more money out of their pockets. This will also prevent money from leaking from Thai gamblers and help the government collect heavy taxes for our economic security."
A panel of lawmakers reportedly further stated in a domestic survey released earlier this month that 81 percent of respondents would support the idea of a casino resort in Thailand. Pollsters claimed that Bangkok and the tourist hotspots Pattaya and the surrounding areas of Rayong would be the most popular destinations for such places. Lawmakers believe that they could bring in $11 billion in additional tax revenue per year.