The Minister for Digital Economics and Social Affairs of Thailand, Chaichanok Chidchob, has recently made it clear that work on the draft Act on the Promotion of the Game Industry, which will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration in the near future, is being vigorously pursued. The Director of the Digital Economic Development Promotion Authority (depa) of Thailand, Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, disclosed that the draft had been approved by the Audit Office ‘ s Working Capital Fund Committee and the budget allocation of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.
This bill, which has been drafted for more than a year, aims to establish a central regulatory framework for the Thai game industry, with a focus on games with “hidden gambling” elements, including random reward systems, draw-off activities or convertible prizes. There is currently no explicit authority in Thailand to effectively monitor or ban such games. After the Act enters into force, the ICCI will have the power to immediately lay off unregistered games and to conduct compliance audits of the security, fairness and transparency of operators. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin emphasized that the purpose of the programme was not to limit competition but to achieve equitable and sustainable development through “norming the game market”. The bill calls for the establishment of three independent commissions: Registration Board
Supervision and Inspection Committee (led by the Cyber and Local Police)
Board for the Promotion of the Game Industry
These committees are clearly divided to reduce duplication and balance security, economic and industrial growth.
The bill was also seen as a key initiative to enhance the international competitiveness of Thai games. Through the establishment of industry standards to connect with the game power countries, Thai game developers will, with clear government support, increase confidence in opening up international markets. If adopted this year, Thailand will be the first country in ASEAN to designate a specific game code and the fourth country in Asia to legislate after Japan and Korea. It was also synchronized with the Gamescom Asia 2025 exhibition, scheduled to take place in Bangkok on 16 October. This is the first time that the global game industry has moved from Singapore to Thailand. Depa is working with public-private sector partners to demonstrate the potential of Thailand as an Asian player leader and to attract global investor confidence.
Depa indicated that feedback was continuously sought from all sectors, in particular the private sector and play associations, to ensure that the legal provisions were comprehensive and impartial. If enacted within four months, the bill would be a key mechanism for closing legal loopholes, protecting consumers from fraudulent games and promoting sustainable development of the Thai play industry.