Bhumjathai and Democrats Express Concerns Over Proposed Entertainment Complex Bill
PUBLISHED : 14 Aug 2024 at 08:48
Members of the coalition party Bhumjaithai and the opposition Democrat Party have raised significant concerns regarding the government’s proposed entertainment complex bill, asserting that its potential drawbacks may outweigh any offered advantages.
Chaichanok Chidchob, secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai Party, articulated the party’s opposition on four pivotal grounds following a coalition meeting.
Firstly, the legislation is unlikely to resolve illegal gambling issues and may exacerbate gambling-related problems within both the new legal framework and existing clandestine operations.
Secondly, the anticipated financial benefits to state funds do not sufficiently justify the investment required.
Thirdly, Mr. Chaichanok emphasized that leveraging casinos to stimulate tourism is redundant, citing the nation’s wealth of existing tourist attractions.
Lastly, he criticized the bill for failing to clarify how it would secure employment opportunities for Thai workers.
Chaichana Detdecho, deputy secretary-general of the Democrat Party, called for a reconsideration of the bill, questioning whether Thailand could replicate the economic success observed in Macau, Vietnam, or Singapore.
“The Democrat Party stands firmly against this bill,” stated Mr. Chaichana, who suggested that the government could instead enhance national revenue by legalizing and taxing long-standing underground lotteries.
Suchatvee Suwansawat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, aired his concerns on social media following the coalition meeting, labeling gambling as detrimental to family values and questioning the attractiveness of Thai casinos amidst competing facilities in neighboring nations.
He warned that these casinos could end up relying heavily on Thai citizens as their customer base.
Mr. Suchatvee also highlighted the lack of fulfillment of job creation promises in neighboring integrated entertainment complexes, noting that only a couple of hundred low-level positions were generated while the connection between casinos and organized crime, particularly money laundering, remains a significant issue near the Thai border.
An insider disclosed that the Entertainment Complex project, which received preliminary cabinet approval in April, aims to invigorate the economy as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin approaches his second year in office.
