By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PRIME MINISTER PAETONGTARN Shinawatra confirmed today (Apr. 8) legislation to open casinos under entertainment complex projects in certain tourist spots is being indefinitely put on hold amidst sustained, predetermined opposition from within parliament and without.
Nevertheless, the prime minister, daughter of de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra, stopped short of commenting why the casino-opening legislation is being indefinitely postponed from tomorrow’s House session.
Paetongtarn categorically denied that the Pheu Thai-led government might ultimately withdraw it from the House agenda though the parliamentary session is taking a two-month recess from the end of this week. She declined to tell how soon the highly contentious bill will be eventually picked up for deliberation and approval by the legislative branch.
The latest decision of the Pheu Thai-led government to delay the highly contentious bill in legislative process was apparently made in the wake of concerted opposition from varied sectors of society including former senators who had lent overwhelming support for last year’s historic naming of real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin as post-election prime minister under the Pheu Thai banners.
The billionaire power player Thaksin who had allegedly threatened coalition partners to cast yea votes for the casino-opening legislation or else they could probably be ousted from the Pheu Thai-led government had quietly pushed for the legalization of casinos and online gambling in Thailand.
That apparently referred to the Bhumjaithai, the second largest coalition partner under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart under de facto party boss/former coup leader-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Prachachart led by Justice Minister Thavi Sodsong.
Paetongtarn insisted that the casino bill was primarily designed to draw an increased number of foreign tourists to Thailand and to help stimulate the national economy.
Casinos, currently deemed illegal in this country, would open in major tourist spots such as Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui.
CAPTION:
Top: Gambling at a casino. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Photo: Thai Rath
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