Thai government to withdraw casino bill
The move is intended to ease public concern and allow the new cabinet to reassess the proposal.
Thailand.- The government is to formally withdraw its proposed Entertainment Complex Bill on Wednesday, July 9, amid political turbulence and public scrutiny. Visuth Chainaroon, chief government whip and MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, confirmed the move on Monday, stating that the withdrawal was not due to political pressure but a strategic decision to allow the public to better understand the bill’s implications.
“This is not about being afraid of anything,” Visuth told reporters, according to local media. “We must help the public understand the reasoning behind this move and allow the current momentum to subside before proceeding.”
Deputy finance minister Julapun Amornvivat indicated that the bill could be reintroduced after a comprehensive review by the newly formed cabinet. At a public forum, he said that although the government has the numbers to pass the legislation, it would be wiser to allow time for reassessment due to other pressing issues, such as the border dispute with Cambodia.
The bill had been slated for debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The government has been complicated after the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party, a key coalition partner and the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on July 1 following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has since stepped in as caretaker prime minister.
