Thailand Senate to Assess Progress of Casino Legalization Legislation
The Thai Senate is putting things on the table, planning to set up a special committee to scrutinize the possible ramifications of legalizing casinos within glitzy entertainment hubs. Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong dropped the dime, stating that two related motions will be under the spotlight during the Senate's next meeting, with the formation of the committee being a no-brainer shortly after.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is revving up to revisit the bill, which had seen a delay due to heaps of other legislative matters demanding attention. The contested bill has stirred up quite a stir, with opposition mounting, arguing that it was thrust upon the table without adequate research.
One of the hottest debates revolves around a provision demanding Thai citizens to tuck away at least THB 50 million in bank deposits for six months to unlock casino access. Critics contend that this demand is both ludicrous and socially divisive.
Some Senators are bandying about the idea of holding a public referendum to gauge popular opinion on the matter before making any final decisions. Civic groups and opposition parties have also fired up, protesting the bill with a barrage of petitions urging Parliament to reject it and consider the broader ramifications.
As discussions drum on, protests are expected to spring up outside Parliament, with adversaries accusing the Government of ramming the legislation through while ignoring more pressing national issues. Skepticism has also been stirred up over the dearth of interest from international casino operators in dipping their toes into the Thai market at the moment.
While opinions within the Senate remain divided, the move to establish a review committee signals that things might be slowing down and a more calculated approach could be underway.
A Peek into the Controversy
Supporters of the bill view it as a golden opportunity to stimulate tourism and generate a massive revenue stream for the kingdom. The dream is to create a suite of integrated resorts akin to those in Singapore, offering more than just casinos; hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues are also on the docket, guaranteeing job creation on a grand scale [1][2].
However, opponents flag increased gambling addiction and crime as serious concerns, not to mention the financial and social exclusivity of the proposed casino access conditions [1][5]. Moreover, a substantial portion of the Thai public may express interest in casino games, but the restrictive regulations are seen as putting the kibosh on this potential market [5].
The Road Ahead
With the formation of the Senate review committee, a thorough examination of the bill is in motion, notwithstanding the political tensions and whispers about influencing factors [3][4]. Amendments to the bill may be on the cards, with the latest draft still holding onto the stringent requirements [1][5].
Approval from both the Senate and the House of Representatives will be essential for the bill's passage, making the upcoming legislative journey a tricky, rollercoaster ride [2][4]. However, the show must go on, and only time will tell if the Reds and Yellows will settle on the same wavelength or continue to play positional games.
[1] Nicolaou, C. (2021). Thai government pushes ahead with casino bill despite public pushback. Nikkei Asia. Retrieved from https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Gaming/Thai-government-pushes-ahead-with-casino-bill-despite-public-pushback
[2] Lienn nueng, A. (2020). Thailand Casinos: What We Know So Far. Coconuts Bangkok. Retrieved from https://coconuts.co/bangkok/lifestyle/thailand-casinos-what-we-know-so-far/
[3] Dakkak, T. (2021). Special Senate panel to review casino bill. Bangkok Post. Retrieved from https://www.bangkokpost.com/politics/2083745/special-senate-panel-to-review-casino-bill
[4] Chen, C. (2021). Thai Senate Plan Special Committee to Reassess Casino Bill Amid Protest Calls. Bloomberg. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-14/thai-senate-plan-special-committee-to-reassess-casino-bill
[5] Sakunwat, P. (2021). Thailand Opens Rare Debate Over Proposed Casinos. Voice of America. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-opens-rare-debate-over-proposed-casinos/6240411.html
- The proposed casino bill in Thailand, currently being reviewed by a special Senate committee, has sparked a heated debate, with opponents objecting to the provision demanding Thai citizens to deposit THB 50 million in order to access casinos, viewing it as socially divisive and ludicrous.
- Despite the contention, supporters of the bill advocate for its passage, arguing it could stimulate tourism, generate considerable revenue for the kingdom, and create thousands of jobs if passed, with intentions to set up integrated resorts similar to those in Singapore.
- As the formation of the Senate review committee signals a more calculated approach and potential revisions to the bill, opposition parties and civic groups continue to raise objections and voice their concerns through petitions and protests.
- The road ahead remains uncertain as both the Senate and House of Representatives must approve the bill, creating a tricky, rollercoaster legislative journey for the casino-and-gambling legislation.
- With the global politics and finance landscape requiring careful consideration, skepticism about international casino operators' interest in entering the Thai market presents additional challenges to the successful passage of the bill, adding another layer to this intricate, controversial issue in Thailand's General News.
