Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has confirmed that her Cabinet will delay the final deliberation of the controversial casino bill, emphasizing the need for a thorough review and public consultation.
She assured that all concerns will be addressed before any decision is made.
The Thailand Entertainment Complex Act was initially scheduled for Cabinet discussion on March 11th. However, Paetongtarn stressed that her government is not prepared to make a final decision at this stage.
According to local media outlet The Nation, Paetongtarn stated during a weekly press conference at Government House following the Cabinet meeting that the bill, which proposes legalizing casinos within large entertainment complexes, requires further evaluation.
“I would like all details to be carefully reviewed. I don’t want the ministry to rush it to the Cabinet because Thailand has never had casinos before,” she said.
Paetongtarn underscored the importance of gathering opinions from various stakeholders regarding the bill and its related regulations. “There is no need to expedite its return to the Cabinet. Let all issues be thoroughly examined first,” she added.
Unresolved financial requirement
Paetongtarn also noted that the proposed condition requiring Thai casino patrons to hold at least THB50 million ($1.5 million) in their bank accounts remains unsettled.
The Cabinet had initially approved the bill in principle on January 13th and referred it to the Council of State for review. One of the Council’s key amendments was the inclusion of the THB50 million requirement for Thai patrons, which the Finance Ministry initially opposed, arguing it conflicted with the bill’s objectives.
Despite earlier resistance, the Finance Ministry later agreed to retain the requirement as recommended by the Council of State.
Addressing protests
In recent weeks, Thailand has witnessed significant protests against the government’s plan to legalize casinos through the casino bill. The main groups opposing the bill include the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Dharma Army, and the Center of People for Monarchy Protection.
Protesters argue that legalizing casinos will result in social problems and weaken the nation. They claim the government is using foreign tourists as a pretext to enable Thai citizens to gamble.
In response, Prime Minister Paetongtarn reaffirmed her government’s commitment to listening to all viewpoints.
She promised that if the government moves forward with the bill, clear explanations will be provided to those opposing the legislation.
Notably, during Paetongtarn’s recent visit to China, President Xi Jinping voiced concerns about Thailand’s casino legalization plans. Xi warned that such a move could lead to various social issues. This marks the first time a top Chinese official has publicly commented on Thailand’s proposed casino policy.
