Protesters rally against entertainment complex and gambling bills
Demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister’s residence yesterday to protest against the government’s proposed entertainment complex bill and the online gambling bill, which was under Cabinet review the same day.
A few hundred people converged at the Phitsanulok Mansion residence yesterday, April 1, intensifying their opposition to the draft bills, which they argued would destroy the country by undermining societal morals.
The demonstration was a reaction to the government’s decision to seek parliamentary discussion of the entertainment complex-casino bill by April 9, one day before the current House session concludes. Protesters claimed the process was being expedited without considering public opinion.
Protest leader Pichit Chaimongkol dismissed the government’s claim that casino revenue would be used to support the disabled and elderly, labelling it a political ploy.
The protest coincided with a meeting between Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong to discuss the online gambling bill.
PM’s Office Minister Chousak Sirinil stated that the government was not hastening the bill into law and that the policy statement had already been presented to Parliament. The Council of State, the government’s legal entity, had drafted the bill with care.
Chousak explained that according to the bill, any entity wishing to invest in an entertainment complex must obtain licences for at least four types of businesses and cannot solely invest in a casino.
He noted that the timing of the bill’s deliberation posed no issues, as it still requires approval from the Upper House and may need revisions, reported Bangkok Post.
Chousak mentioned that the House committee could amend specific aspects, such as the proportion of space allocated to casinos within each entertainment complex, which is currently capped at 10%.
In similar news, ex-red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has urged a demonstration against the Entertainment Complex Bill, which is scheduled for Cabinet review on March 12.
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