China’s President Xi Jinping inquired about and shared his views on the pros and cons of having casinos in the country during his recent meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Beijing, as Thailand considers an entertainment complex that includes casinos.
The Thai prime minister was on an official visit to Beijing last week.
“President Xi offered me some advice and comments on what could happen if Thailand develops a casino industry, as China itself has Macau, a special administrative region where casinos are legal,” Paetongtarn said yesterday.
“I told Xi that we certainly welcome his comments and will take them into consideration. Thailand and China are close, like brothers, and Xi and China have more experience in this matter,” she said.
She emphasized to Xi that the casino area in the proposed entertainment complex would make up less than 10% of the total space and that the complex is designed to be a family-friendly destination.
She told reporters that people should not focus solely on casinos, as the entertainment complex would boost tourism revenue and create jobs for Thais.
“Moreover, the taxes collected from the project could be used for scholarships,” she added.
Paetongtarn’s cabinet approved the Finance Ministry’s draft entertainment complex bill in principle last month.
The prime minister claims the bill is intended to promote investment, curb rampant illegal gambling, and support sustainable tourism through a man-made destination that will benefit society in the long run.
The Council of State has made six observations about the draft bill and expressed some reservations.
However, the bill is facing opposition from many who argue that the government’s push for the entertainment complex is primarily driven by the desire for casinos, as numerous foreign investors have expressed interest in the project.
