According to a survey by Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), the majority of Thais oppose the casino entertainment complex project and the government's plan to legalize online gambling.
The Nida poll was conducted by telephone interviews from January 20-21 with 1,310 people over the age of 18 with different levels of education, income and occupation across the country.
Accordingly, when asked about their opinions on the development of entertainment complexes integrated with casinos: 59.19% of respondents said they opposed both the complex and the casino; 28.93% supported both; 8.63% supported the complex but without the casino; 1.68% did not comment and 1.6% supported only the casino.
When asked whether they agreed with the government's efforts to legalize online gambling: 58.32% said they strongly disagreed; 19.92% strongly agreed; 11.45% partly agreed, and 10.31% partly disagreed.
Regarding the referendum on the construction of casino entertainment complexes and the legalization of online gambling: 51.07% said they disagreed with holding a referendum for both casino entertainment complexes and the legalization of online gambling; 37.86% agreed with holding a referendum for both types; 5.11% agreed with holding a referendum for the casino entertainment complex project; 3.89% agreed with holding a referendum only to legalize online betting; 1.99% did not comment.
Previously on January 13, the Thai Cabinet approved a policy and bill to legalize gambling with the expectation of promoting tourism, creating jobs and attracting international investment.
According to the Thai government's plan announced by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the bill will be submitted to the National Assembly for discussion, emphasizing that gambling activities will only be allowed to be organized in large-scale entertainment complexes.
Casinos and most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand today, but football betting, underground gambling and lotteries are still popular with huge amounts of money being traded. The only forms of gambling allowed in Thailand are state-controlled horse racing and official lotteries.
"Legalization will help protect people and create more revenue for the government," Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn affirmed.
Thailand is also expected to welcome record numbers of tourists in the coming years, helping to boost the growth of Southeast Asia's second largest economy.
Previous Thai governments have repeatedly sought to legalize and regulate gambling to boost the country's economic development, but they have always faced opposition from conservative groups within the country.