The announcement of the cancellation of the ‘G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR’ concert in Bangkok due to “extreme heat” not only disappointed fans but also exposed gaps in the country’s infrastructure, which remains unprepared to support international-scale events.
While several countries in the region are grappling with overtourism, Thailand is still experiencing a sluggish recovery. Nature- and culture-based tourism, once Thailand’s strong suit, may no longer suffice in an era where the pursuit of new experiences has become the main draw for high-value tourists.
The government has been promoting the “Thailand Entertainment Complex” project as a new economic engine—an all-in-one entertainment hub comprising concert halls, exhibition centers, museums, and family activity zones. The government emphasizes that it is “not just a casino,” aiming to attract investment and high-quality tourists year-round, similar to how Macau transformed its economy through this model.
However, some experts warn that the Macau model may not be directly applicable to Thailand due to differences in social context and legal frameworks.
The path toward this transformation is far from smooth. The government’s journey to becoming an “entertainment metropolis” is not lined with rose petals. Efforts to push the project forward are facing resistance from multiple fronts.
Internal resistance flared up when the Cabinet abruptly withdrew the draft bill on integrated entertainment complexes from its meeting agenda, raising questions about the direction and continuity of policy. At the same time, external pressure is also mounting. Sam Rainsy, former opposition leader of Cambodia, revealed that Thailand’s initiative has angered some Cambodian leaders who have casino businesses along the border.
Despite facing both internal and external political obstacles, successfully pushing forward the Entertainment Complex project will likely require looking to international models for inspiration.
At the major press conference for the “THAILAND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX” held on June 4, the government reiterated the urgent need for new economic engines amid a rapidly changing global economic landscape.
However, some analysts caution that rushing into investment in Entertainment Complexes may lead to ethical concerns and potential social issues that must be carefully considered.
Another driving force behind this initiative is the changing nature of global competition. Relying solely on seasonal, nature-based tourism is no longer sufficient. Thailand must now take proactive steps to “create opportunities” and “build attractions” through the concept of man-made tourism.
The challenge lies in how to transform this vision into a “world-class experience metropolis”—one that can attract year-round investment and high-quality tourists. The government emphasizes that this project is much more than just a “casino”, which remains a public concern.
Macau, a tangible and proven model of success, provides a valuable case study for Thailand to examine closely.
That said, it’s worth noting that while Macau is often cited as a prime example of successful Entertainment Complex development, critics argue that the model has deepened social inequality and is heavily dependent on casino revenue, which may not be suitable or sustainable for every country.
