Significant and ongoing disruption to the governance of Thailand has seemingly signalled the end of the Integrated Resorts bill, which was set to bring casinos to the country.
Progress for the bill was marred with disruption, which included an unlikely intervention from China’s Xi Jinping, however, it has now seemingly been dealt a fatal final blow as the premiership of Paetongtarn Shinawatra spiralled further into turmoil.
It’s fair to say the bill always faced jeopardy after it had been previously met with significant friction from the opposition government.
News outlets in the country are now stating that a motion to withdraw the bill has been put forward, which would end the prospects of a market that has caused much allure amongst global operators.
Shinawatra, who has spearheaded the bid to bring land-based gaming to Thailand, was suspended on Tuesday (1 July) by the country’s constitutional court.
Backlash against her intensified after a nationwide outrage when a phone call with Cambodia’s former Premier Hun Sen was leaked, in which she appeared to criticise the actions of the Thai army in its continued border dispute with Cambodia.
Despite apologising for her actions, thousands of protestors gathered in Bangkok to call for her resignation. The Bhumjaithai Party also previously withdrew from Shinawatra’s coalition Government, leaving her with a razor-thin majority.
Sparked by gunfire and the death of a Cambodian soldier at the border in May, the dispute over the border has had major political implications in Thailand and Cambodia, even leading to major challenges for Cambodia’s casino sector.
As a result of the dispute, Thailand put significant restrictions on Thai residents’ movement across the border. The restrictions halted the ability of Thai citizens to work in Poipet at the Cambodian city’s various casinos, gambling dens and venues.
The Thai Army, which issued the order, emphasised that it has been pursued in a bid to ensure the safety of Thai citizens.
It comes amidst a history of dispute over the sovereignty of the land around the border, leading to political tension and the current disruptions in the country.
Furthermore, the back and forth has also led to significant challenges for Cambodia’s Star Vegas Resort as a result of tighter border enforcement from the Thai government.
Dramatically, this included a 62% drop in headcount for the casino, which has been majorly impacted by the new regulations as a result of the dispute.
Ambitions outlined by both governments to settle the dispute will be supported by the casino, as it looks to return to full operating scale.
Nonetheless, it does underpin the significant appetite of Thai citizens to play in a land-based casino, something that will have alerted the allure of i regulators as they iron out the kinks within their regulatory framework for integrated resorts.
