Political Turmoil in Thailand Threatens Casino Bill
Political tensions in Thailand are escalating as the opposition People's Party and several civic organizations have demanded the government withdraw proposed legislation that would legalize both land-based and online casino-style gambling. The mounting opposition presents a significant obstacle to the advancement of two gambling-related bills currently under consideration by the Thai government.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:On Wednesday, according to the Bangkok Post, members of the opposition and civic groups gathered outside Government House to submit a formal petition addressed to suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The demonstration was led by Thanakorn Khomkrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, who has been a vocal critic of legalized gambling in Thailand.
Related: Thailand Pushes Forward with Casino Bill Amidst BacklashHis public withdrawal from last month's Thailand Entertainment Complex Roundtable (TECR), an event intended to facilitate dialogue between critics and global casino operators such as Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts, and Wynn Resorts, underscored the depth of resistance to the casino legislation among segments of Thai society.
Thanakorn stated that the proposed bills threaten to exacerbate societal division and divert attention from pressing national priorities. He argued that the government should focus instead on challenges like economic instability, environmental degradation, and political uncertainty.
Thanakorn added that if these gambling policies are truly important to the ruling Pheu Thai party, they should be presented to voters as part of the party's campaign platform in the next general election to allow the public to weigh in through democratic means.
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The People's Party also expressed disapproval of the government's legislative strategy. Spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu, who participated in the TECR, reiterated the party's concerns about the timing and implications of the proposed casino bills. He emphasized that if the administration genuinely respected the input from opposition parties and civil society, it would act accordingly by halting progress on the legislation.
The two bills at the center of the controversy include the Entertainment Complex Bill, which would authorize the establishment of land-based casino venues as part of integrated resorts, and a separate measure to amend existing statutes in order to permit regulated online gambling. Proponents argue that these reforms could attract foreign investment and generate new streams of tax revenue, but opponents warn of potential social and economic harms, including increased rates of gambling addiction and financial instability among citizens.
Amid growing resistance and political pressure, the Thai government has temporarily backed away from immediate legislative action. Last week, officials announced the removal of the Entertainment Complex Bill from the agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session scheduled for July 9.
While the bill's reading has been postponed by one month, authorities clarified that the delay does not signify its withdrawal. This decision appears to reflect the government's attempt to ease public tension while preserving the option to reintroduce the bill at a later stage.
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