As the debate over the legalization of casinos in Thailand continues to heat up, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat will attend a Senate committee meeting this week to express their views on the clauses related to casino projects in the Entertainment Center Act.
According to the Bangkok Post, Abhisit's attendance marks the first time a former political figure has directly participated in a parliamentary-level discussion on this issue. Julapun, on the other hand, is attending the committee meeting for the second time. The committee is chaired by Senator Veerapun Suvannamai, who is currently presiding over the fifth round of deliberations on the bill.
The bill proposes the establishment of integrated facilities combining entertainment, shopping, and casinos in specific areas, aimed at attracting tourists, creating jobs, and boosting fiscal revenue. However, this proposal has sparked widespread attention and controversy in Thai society.
Mixed Opinions Emerge: Economic Prospects Intertwined with Social Risks
At the last committee meeting held on May 29, Chidtawan Chanakul, an economist from the Thai Agricultural University, pointed out that while the project might stimulate employment, most of the new jobs would be low-skilled, offering limited improvement to the living standards of vulnerable groups. He also reminded that even in developed countries where gambling is legal, underground gambling continues to be rampant.
Two invited youth representatives, Sornsit Krimjai and Thanaphat Chaloemrat, also expressed their concerns. They noted that the legalization of casinos could "normalize" gambling behavior among young people, leading some to deviate from educational paths and become engrossed in high-risk profit-seeking activities.
Sharp Divisions Between Supporters and Opponents
Critics of the legislation generally believe that opening casinos on a large scale could trigger a series of chain reactions, including rampant gambling addiction, family financial crises, worsening poverty, and escalating youth issues, under the premise that regulatory capabilities are not yet fully established.
Supporters, however, emphasize that this initiative could draw on the experiences of countries like Singapore, establish high-standard regulatory systems, and drive local economic recovery through tourist traffic, especially injecting new vitality into Thailand's tourism industry in the post-pandemic era. They argue that prohibiting gambling has not effectively curbed underground gambling but has instead caused the government to miss out on legal tax revenue and industry regulation opportunities.
Next Steps for Legislation: Still Under Consideration
This Thursday, the committee will hear more opinions from high-level policymakers and relevant stakeholders. These feedbacks will be incorporated into subsequent assessments, serving as a basis for advancing or adjusting the provisions of the bill.
With the involvement of Abhisit and Julapun, the direction of the casino bill is entering a more politically sensitive phase. Regardless of the outcome, this legislative debate has become a real test for Thai society between "development" and "cost."
