A “2027 timeline now seems more realistic” for a bidding process on anticipated Thai casino resort licences, says a partner at the Rajah & Tann (Thailand) Ltd law practice, in response to an enquiry from GGRAsia.
Another commentor told GGRAsia a “good outcome” would be an actual licensing phase by first quarter 2027.
It follows news on April 8 that a first parliamentary reading for the Entertainment Complex Bill was not going to be completed before the end this month, which is the end of the current sitting of the National Assembly.
“Given the current pushback, it would be difficult for the bidding process to begin in 2026. A 2027 timeline now seems more realistic,” lawyer Akkaraporn Muangsobha told GGRAsia.
Industry commentator and former casino executive Daniel Cheng told GGRAsia that many variables were in play regarding the timetable for arriving at a bidding phase. These included whether the composition of the present coalition would remain, and if the government could negotiate successfully domestic opposition to casino legalisation.
Mr Cheng stated: “I would consider it a good outcome if the first licence can be awarded in first-quarter 2027. However, that timeline is uncomfortably tight for the government, with its term ending in May 2027.”
If the Pheu Thai-led government were able “to navigate satisfactorily” around various obstacles including a possible challenge to the policy via the country’s Constitutional Court, and the sort of public protests that have already been staged, “the law might reach its final vote in the next parliamentary calendar,” suggested Mr Cheng.
He added that “optimistically” that could be during the second ordinary session for 2025 in the National Assembly.
He cited that as running from December 2025 to April 2026, “or else” the final vote “might be in the first session of the 2026 calendar, before October 2026”.
‘Growing backlash’
Rajah & Tann’s Mr Muangsobha told GGRAsia: “I believe the first reading of the bill is expected to take place in July, most likely on July 3.
“That said, a new challenge has emerged in the form of growing backlash on social media opposing the bill. Previously, the government appeared confident that the bill would pass its first reading – and I shared that confidence – but in light of the public reaction, some coalition parties have started voicing opposition as well.”
The lawyer also observed: “The government now has a three-month window to regain public confidence in the transparency of the entertainment complex policy. This is indeed a pivotal moment for the administration.”
After a first reading, the bill is to be sent to a 31-member committee for further review. That is per comment from deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat, reported on April 7 by The Nation newspaper.
According to government officials cited in Thai media, the bill must undergo three readings in the National Assembly. Subsidiary laws would also be needed, said Mr Julapun as reported by The Nation.
Rajah & Tann’s Mr Muangsobha had written about the Thailand legalisation process in a recent article for the International Masters of Gaming Law. The latter describes itself as a non-profit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives and consultants.
In that article, he had “originally anticipated that the bidding process would take place in 2026”.
But he told GGRAsia: “Given the current situation, this timeline will likely need to be adjusted.
“With the recent developments – including the delay in the legislative process and growing public opposition – it now seems increasingly unlikely that the original timeline can be maintained. And it won’t just be a matter of three months: the road ahead will be increasingly complex at every stage.”
On April 8, the nine-MP Prachachat Party – one of the groupings in Thailand’s current coalition government – issued a formal statement saying it “cannot accept the principles” of the government’s casino legalisation move, due to moral and other objections.
The following day, during a parliamentary debate, the secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, which also sits in coalition with Pheu Thai, said he would reject the Entertainment Complex Bill “no matter who proposed it”, according to The Nation newspaper. The MP was later admonished by his own party leader, who said the remarks were made without prior party approval and represented his opinion.
