Thailand’s former PM, Thaksin Shinawatra, is convinced that the country’s casino resort bill will move forward, despite the recent deferral. While many Thai people have firmly opposed the coming of casinos, lawmakers remain bullish on proceeding with the measure.
The Bill’s Hearing Was Postponed
Thailand’s casino effort was recently stuttered by the government’s decision to postpone the introduction of its casino bill to parliament but former PM Thaksin is convinced that this isn’t really a setback and that the measure will eventually pass through the House of Representatives.
While lawmakers have generally supported the launch of casino resorts, the bill’s referral to the House of Representatives was recently delayed because of the economic pressures stemming from Trump’s tariff plans.
The government initially intended to have the first reading of the bill on Wednesday, a single day before the end of the parliamentary session. However, the tariff threat forced officials to readapt and turn their attention to more pressing matters.
Thaksin Is Certain PM Paetongtarn Would “Do It”
While many economists are wary of the effect the tariffs would have on the broader economy, the Bangkok Post reported that Thaksin has brushed the casino bill postponement off, saying that it would be only temporary.
Thaksin, who has been a staunch supporter of the casino measure, said that proponents of the bill should rest easy. While he acknowledged that the legalization might be a little slower, he remained certain that PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra would “do it” when the time comes.
Thaksin furthermore accused opponents of the measure of spreading misinformation and over-focusing on the casino aspect when the bill is, in fact, much more.
Thailand Inches Closer to Legal Gaming
The Thai government, for context, warmed up to the idea of casino resorts seemingly overnight. Whereas Thailand has historically been opposed to gambling, lawmakers are now eyeing the opportunity of creating huge resorts that would drive tourism and help the country stay competitive.
Casino gaming is only a small part of a much broader measure that seeks to usher in huge entertainment complexes in several high-traffic areas. However, there have been serious discussions on whether locals should be allowed to play too. One controversial proposal, for example, considers allowing only the wealthiest of Thai citizens to play.
In the meantime, the public’s opinions on the matter have been rather mixed. Many have opposed the proposed entertainment resorts, citing a variety of negative effects they could have on society. Opponents of the bill have suggested that casino gaming could lead to harm and crime. Even the tourism sector warned that, as things stand now, Thailand is ill-equipped to deal with the uglier side of the gambling ecosystem.
On the other hand, a recent hearing suggested strong public support for the bill.