Thai coalition parties reaffirm backing for casino bill
Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai leaders have dismissed fears of division after Bhumjaithai’s secretary-general opposed the casino bill.
Thailand.- The two leading coalition parties, Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, have confirmed their joint backing for the bill to legalise casino resorts. The announcement was made after Bhumjaithai Party secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob told a parliamentary debate he would reject the bill.
In a joint press conference, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul said he was shocked by Chaichanok’s remarks and that Chaichanok had not received prior authorisation to speak on behalf of the party. He described the comments as personal and not representative of party policy. He said: “Chaichanok will also have to comply with the party’s resolution to pass the bill, regardless of his personal views.”
According to The Nation, Charnivirakul apologised to prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who leads the Pheu Thai Party, and reaffirmed Bhumjaithai’s support for the bill. Shinawatra dismissed claims of personal tensions with Chaichanok and suggested his comments might have been triggered by the heat of the debate.
Anti-casino groups call for withdrawal of casino bill
A group of anti-casino advocates rallied outside Parliament on Wednesday (April 9) to urge the government to withdraw the proposal to legalise casinos. The move came after the government postponed a parliamentary debate on the bill to focus on the issues of US tariffs and the aftermath of last month’s earthquake.
The group, which included religious, youth, family, and education organisations, said they were frustrated that the government had only postponed debate. Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, said they would take further action if the bill was not removed from the agenda.
Pichit Chaimongkol, head of the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, said casinos would harm the public and serve private interests. Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana submitted a petition against the bill.
