Thai games bill revisions could push enactment back at least two years

Thailand's gaming industry association estimates that a proposed promotion law could take at least another two years to enact, as extensive revisions mean much of the drafting and legislative work must be repeated.

Kittipong Prucksa-aroon, president of the Thailand Game Software Industry Association, said Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob had substantially changed an earlier draft. Prepared under the previous government by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, it had been through two rounds of public hearings.

The revised scope could bring board games, card games and e-sports under legislation initially focused on electronic games. Changes also concern the bodies that would oversee and promote the sector.

The association wants a 50:50 balance between government and industry on the Gaming Industry Promotion Committee. The original plan assigned 20 of its 27 seats to government representatives and seven to private-sector members. Kittipong said that arrangement would weaken industry participation in policymaking.

It also proposes keeping just the main committee and a fund committee, rather than the original structure of at least four bodies. Kittipong said creating an industry development fund would bring additional Finance Ministry scrutiny and could prolong approval.

After redrafting, further public hearings would be required, followed by review by relevant ministries, cabinet consideration and the parliamentary process.

Chaichanok put Thailand's digital content market at more than ฿50 billion, with gaming contributing ฿37 billion. He said the ministry was pursuing the Game Industry Promotion Act to provide support throughout the sector's value chain.