Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill will not be reviewed by parliament until at least July and even then may not be top of the agenda, the government’s chief whip explained Wednesday.
A day after it was confirmed that a parliamentary debate originally planned to take place on Wednesday would be postponed amid rising opposition to the casino bill and the emergence of other pressing issues, parliament instead spent Wednesday debating Thailand’s response to the United States whacking 36% tariffs on Thai exports.
In response to questions from local reporters, chief whip Wisut Chainarun confirmed that the casino bill was only postponed, not withdrawn completely, although he noted there was no guarantee the bill would be top of the agenda when the next parliamentary session commences in three months’ time, The Bangkok Post reported.
Those comments follow increasing pressure from opposition parties and anti-casino groups to drop the bill altogether.
“Differences of opinion are normal in a democracy, and it is essential to foster public understanding,” Wisut said in response to such opposition.
There are, however, reports that potential dissent within the coalition itself after Thaksin Shinawatra – father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and influential Pheu Thai Party’s figurehead – warned that anyone who refused to back the casino bill could be expelled.
According to The Nation, senior members of the Bhumjaithai Party have made what some have interpreted as subtle digs at the casino bill and in one instance have even called for coalition parties to withdraw from the coalition should Thaksin act on his threat.
Still, Prime Minister Paetongtarn continues to back the casino bill, describing on Wednesday opposition to the bill as political gamesmanship.
“The casino will occupy only 10% of the entertainment complex,” she said. “It’s not about allowing anyone to open a casino anywhere, turning the country into a land full of casinos. That’s simply not true.”
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