Thailand parliament tables review of entertainment complex bill
As Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fights for her political life, the controversial casino bill supported by her administration has hit another roadblock.
Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Act passed the House last January. It was set for a first reading before parliament on 9 July, but that review has been postponed amid the country’s border conflict with Cambodia.
The neighbouring countries are at loggerheads following an armed showdown that killed a Cambodian soldier. The crisis deepened when a call from Paetongtarn to former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen was leaked to the public. In the audio recording, the Thai leader seemed to kowtow to Hun Sen. Worse, she criticised her own military.
After the call, an outraged Bhumjaithai Party walked away from its alliance with the ruling Pheu Thai Party, weakening an already-tenuous coalition. Bhumjaithai leaders also pledged to oppose the casino legislation, which would introduce up to five integrated resorts around the country.
“Angering the military is never a good idea in Thailand”, which has a history of political coups, observes the Council on Foreign Relations. Now Paetongtarn, who survived a no-confidence vote in March, is back in the crosshairs, with a tenuous hold on power.
PM’s survival tied to Thailand casino bill
The Bangkok Post called the outcome of the casino bill “a litmus test” for the young prime minister, who has held office for less than a year.
Paetongtarn’s own father, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted in a 2006 coup. He fled the country, remained in exile for more than 15 years, then returned in 2023. Critics complain that Thaksin – a vocal proponent of casino resorts – is Thailand’s de facto leader, not his 38-year-old daughter.
A delay of the casino bill could work to supporters’ advantage. It could give the government time to win over those who fear that gambling could bring vice and organised crime to the Southeast Asian kingdom.
“There is still a lack of public understanding about the purpose of this bill,” said Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri. “The government needs more time to thoroughly explain its intent to the public before it proceeds to parliament.”
Coalition whip Wisut Chainarun agreed. “We need to start with softer issues first,” he told the Straits Times, “until the political climate becomes more favourable.”
Lawmakers have not disclosed when the bill will go back on the agenda.