Casino bill foes step up protests

Casino bill foes step up protests

Protesters demonstrate outside the Govt. House

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announces the cabinet's decision to approve the casino and entertainment complex bill on Thursday. (Photo: Government House)
The commission’s decision to approve the game and entertainment complex expenses is made on Thursday, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. ( Photo: Government House )

Following the commission’s approval of the contentious costs on Thursday, critics of the game and entertainment complex bill have pledged to raise their protests.

A group of about 80 demonstrators gathered in front of Government House on Thursday to protest the act as the case gathered to discuss it. They were a member of a number of organizations that opposed the costs, including the Dharma Army, the Centre of Citizens for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Transformation.

Pichit Chaimongkol, one of the protest leaders, claimed that the cabinet is properly forcibly forcing the people to accept the bill despite growing opposition to the move.

Therefore, Mr. Pichit questioned why the government was so eager to pass the Game and Entertainment Complex Bill despite the fact that it wasn’t even mentioned in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s plan speech to parliament.

The development of pleasures is equivalent to [the government’s promise ] to strengthen the people’s quality of life and well-being, he said, which is the opposite of the government’s commitment to improve the people’s quality of life and well-being.

People’s Party ( PP ) MP Parit Wacharasindhu said the government’s rush to pass the bill despite warnings from opponents sounded like it had a “hidden agenda.”

The authorities is prepared to push the casino-entertainment complicated project through regardless of the adverse effects, he said, noting that the bill wasn’t supported by accurate information and research.

He added that the government hasn’t sufficiently explained how the legislation will benefit the nation or assured the public that it won’t lead to other issues, such as problem.

Outside Government House, protesters demonstrate against the game and entertainment complex's costs. Apichart Jinakul

Outside Government House, protesters demonstrate against the game and entertainment complex’s costs. Apichart Jinakul

Chittawan Chanagul, an economics professor at Kasetsart University, also objected to the coalition’s approval of the invoice, claiming that the government has not given enough thought to the potential negative effects of gambling.

The casino and leisure complex bill was approved by the cabinet on Thursday as part of the government’s effort to boost tourism and establish a constitutional gaming industry.

To provide a game, Thai gamblers may give a 5, 000 bass entry fee and provide proof that they have at least 50 million baht in bank deposits in accordance with the legislation.

The resource requirement for Thai citizens will likely be eliminated, according to deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat, because it would eliminate too many people.

He claimed that officials made the decision to send the draft in its present form and consider possible amendments afterwards.

The bill’s specifics, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, were never written in stone because parliament had the ultimate state.

The House of Representatives will now be given the opportunity to vote on the costs. Before going into consequence, it will also need to be endorsed by the Senate and His Majesty the King.

More public sessions will be held in places where casinos may be constructed, according to government official Jirayu Houngsub. He promised to pay compensation for any bad effects the games might have.

Game users will become prohibited from broadcasting entertainment activities at their locations and tying any casino game activity to any computer system. He added that they will be content to the anti-money fraud laws as well.

The government anticipates attracting at least 100 billion baht in fresh casino and leisure complex investments, and it anticipates a 5- to 10-fold increase in foreign arrivals each year.

About 80 % of the 71,300 polled people in support of the bill, according to Mr. Jirayu, during an online people experiencing conducted on February 28 through March 14.

However, a recent opinion poll revealed that the majority of people are concerned about the adverse effects of playing.

The PP even made the point that legalizing gaming might have a negative impact on tourism if China ultimately discourages its people from visiting Thailand as a result.