Report Thai Senate Calls for Referendum on Controversial Casino Bill

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

A Senate special committee reviewing a contentious proposed casino-entertainment complex bill has recommended conducting a referendum, suggesting that the draft may violate the constitution if enacted. The committee, chaired by Sen Veerapun Suvannamai, convened on Thursday to assess the bill's legal intricacies.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was slated to articulate the government's stance but was on an official visit to Vietnam. Instead, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat was delegated to attend but also was unavailable due to accompanying the premier. Consequently, Paetongtarn's presentation was postponed to June 5.

 

Delving into the bill's content, Committee adviser Sen Chirmsak Pinthong expressed apprehension that the government’s proposal might be an underhanded attempt to legalise large-scale casinos. He condemned the bill for granting extensive authority to a policy board, which he called a "casino cabinet," chaired by the prime minister.

 

A significant issue raised was around the draft law's lack of clarity on state revenue from casino concessions, capped ambiguously at no more than 5 billion baht, rather than specifying a minimum—stirring transparency concerns. Furthermore, concessions appear to be offered without competitive bidding, public consultation, or environmental evaluations.

 

Rumours have surfaced regarding potential casino locations, notably a 3,800-rai tract at Klong Toey Port in Bangkok. Securing this site could require amending the Port Act, with the land’s value estimated at approximately 1.2 million baht per square wah. Using just 10% of the land for a casino could allow investors access to land valued at 100 billion baht, while the state would receive only 1.1 billion baht annually in concessions.

 

Alternative sites mentioned include Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district and Chon Buri’s U-Tapao area. Mr Chirmsak voiced concerns about the long-term ramifications of a 30-year casino concession, urging caution to avoid imposing potential burdens on future generations.

 

Committee member Kaewsan Atibhoti suggested that the project could be tailored to favour foreign investors, raising additional concerns over the bill's broader implications. As debate continues, the call for a referendum seeks to ensure public consensus on this significant national initiative.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-16

 

 

[hotchilli]

It will get pushed through eventually, the elites are in favour of these establishments.