Discussed: 12 Mar 2025 at 04: 00
The government did not take up the casino-entertainment difficult costs for consideration yesterday as expected, pending a common reading, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said.
The state was originally expediting the process of gathering people opinions on the costs, which must not be rushed into laws, she said, adding that people insight and dissenting views had been heard.
Investigators asked Ms Paetongtarn to describe the administration’s sudden apparent lacklustre involvement in enacting the costs.
The top said the state was in no hurry to deal with the casino-entertainment complicated task, which is a new legislation requiring a thorough screening and in-depth study of related laws and regulations.
The Ministry of Finance’s people hearing on the bill is due to end on Friday.
The cabinet’s pause in deliberating the act came despite Prime Minister’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil’s confidence last week that the costs would be considered an immediate concern on Tuesday.
Ms Paetongtarn said the requirement for Thais to provide casino entertainment complexes– that they prove they have at least 50 million baht in their bank accounts for at least six months before entry– will also be discussed more.
Pakorn Nilpraphun, secretary-general of the Council of State, said the minimum savings requirement remains unchanged. Any decision to amend or remove it lies with the Ministry of Finance, not the council, which is the government’s legal arm.
He said the council has finished examining the bill and has since returned it to the Cabinet Secretariat Office.
While the council scrutinised the bill, it had total freedom to make necessary changes. He denied that the council came under political interference during the vetting.
According to the council, the cabinet will now review the bill one last time before deciding whether to approve it.
Meanwhile, a related bill seeking to amend the Gambling Act to allow certain types of online gambling is currently going through a consultation process in which relevant agencies are giving opinions on the draft. Afterwards, the bill will be forwarded to the cabinet along with the agencies ‘ opinions for consideration.
On Tuesday, protest groups led by former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan rallied outside Government House to oppose the casino-entertainment complex bill and the bill amending the Gambling Act.