Thailand's opposition Palang Pracharath Party said on Wednesday it will oppose the government's entertainment complex bill, which would legalize casino gambling, and will raise the issue in a no-confidence debate the opposition is seeking to initiate against the government next month1.
The party said legalizing casinos could harm Thailand and its people, and argued the bill gives too much authority to the prime minister1. Deputy party leader Chaimongkol Chairop said the government is attempting to decriminalize gambling, which he said could pose a serious threat to the nation, and critics say it could also invite corruption1.
"The government is attempting to decriminalize gambling which could pose a serious threat to the nation"
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and other government officials have downplayed concerns by saying the proposed casino will occupy only 10% of each entertainment complex1. Mr Chaimongkol said that 10% could still pose a serious threat, and that unlike several other countries where casinos are located only in rural areas, the ones in Thailand will be in key tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok1.
Party executive member ML Kornkasiwat Kasemsri called the government's claim that entertainment complexes will make tourism more sustainable a "false advertisement"1. He said legalizing casinos would lead to more gambling addictions and a higher crime rate, and could do more harm than good to the country's tourism1. He also said Section 15 of the bill effectively grants absolute power to the committee overseeing the entertainment complex project, which will be chaired by the prime minister1.
What it means for players
The bill is not yet law, so nothing changes for players in Thailand now. The party's position matters because it signals that the entertainment complex bill faces organized parliamentary opposition, and the casino question will be argued in a censure debate rather than settled quietly. For anyone following where casinos could be built, the party named Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok as the intended locations, and said the casino floor would take up 10% of each complex1. Thailand's current gambling laws and what is legal for locals, expats and visitors today are unchanged by this announcement. The party did not set out any alternative revenue proposal beyond asking whether the government could find other ways to raise money1.
What happens next
The opposition is seeking to initiate a no-confidence debate against the government next month, and intends to include the casino issue in it1. The party has not said what it will do if the bill proceeds, and no vote date or committee timetable has been reported. Whether the debate takes place as described has not been confirmed.
For the current rules on gambling in the country, see Can I Gamble in Thailand?.
Sources1 sources
- Bangkok Post - Palang Pracharath to oppose casino bill, bangkokpost.com
