{"id":777024081,"date":"2025-03-14T09:52:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T12:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/?p=777024081"},"modified":"2026-04-22T00:50:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T03:50:10","slug":"four-potential-cities-named-for-thai-casino-developments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/four-potential-cities-named-for-thai-casino-developments","title":{"rendered":"Four potential cities named for Thai casino developments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Nikom Boonwiset, vice-chairman of the special committee, said the cities were selected for their tourism potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Thailand.- Nikom Boonwiset<\/strong>, vice-chairman of a special committee overseeing Thailand\u2019s proposed casino legislation, has said that Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket could become the first four locations to host entertainment complexes with casinos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Bangkok Post, Boonwiset, who is also an MP from the Pheu Thai Party, said that the THB500bn (US$14.8bn) project is expected to draw at least 50 million visitors each year and generate over 40,000 jobs. He said several international investors are interested in the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each entertainment complex would include a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, amusement park, sports arena, a convention hall, and a large exhibition centre. Less than 10 per cent of each complex would be for a casino. Boonwiset said that critics of the project tende to focus only on the casino aspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The draft bill to legalise casinos in Thailand was to be debated at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday but the debate has been put back<\/a> to await the conclusion of a public hearing today (March 14). This was after groups camped outside Government House to protest against the bill. A survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida)\u00a0<\/strong>found the majority of Thais to be opposed to casinos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analysts at Citigroup have forecast that casinos in Thailand could generate US$1.91bn annually in gross gaming revenue (GGR)<\/a>. That would surpass the GGR of Singapore\u2019s two casinos and place Thailand \u201conly behind Macau and Las Vegas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n MGM Resorts International<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Galaxy Entertainment Group\u00a0<\/strong>have already\u00a0shown interest<\/a>. Investment group\u00a0CLSA<\/strong> has said\u00a0that Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts<\/a> are also interested, while The Royal Turf Club of Thailand (RTCT)<\/a>\u00a0plans to invest THB200bn (US$5.88bn)\u00a0in an IR with a casino.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n