Political Pressure Mounts on Pheu Thai Government Over Entertainment Complex Bill
The Pheu Thai-led government is facing renewed pressure to reconsider the controversial entertainment complex bill. This comes after Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat suggested that the legislation needs a thorough review by the newly formed cabinet before any further progress is made. The bill, initially approved by the cabinet on March 27 following revisions by the Council of State, has been a central element of the government's economic strategy.
Economic Implications and Government Support
Proposed by the Ministry of Finance, the bill aims to introduce integrated entertainment complexes that include legal casinos. These developments are expected to attract significant investment, estimated at 119-283 billion baht annually. Additionally, they are projected to increase foreign tourist arrivals by 5-10% and reduce the country’s reliance on seasonal tourism.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has consistently defended the policy, which was outlined in her government’s policy statement upon taking office. Despite being fast-tracked for parliamentary debate before the last session ended in April, the bill was put on hold due to growing opposition.
Ms. Paetongtarn has maintained that the bill has not been withdrawn, emphasizing that the government is currently focusing on more pressing issues, such as the United States' reciprocal tariff measures.
Possible Delays and Strategic Considerations
Originally scheduled to be the top item on the House agenda on July 9, the bill was set to precede four political amnesty and reconciliation bills. However, recent comments from Mr. Julapun have raised questions about whether the bill will be postponed or even dropped.
Political analysts suggest that the government's decision to delay or potentially withdraw the bill could be a strategic move amid increasing public and political pressure. Comparisons have been drawn to the political crisis that followed the passage of the amnesty bill by the Yingluck Shinawatra administration in late 2013.
Yuttaporn Isarachai, a political scientist from Sukhothaithammathirat University, notes that while the casino-entertainment complex policy is not entirely off the table, the current political climate leaves little room for mistakes. He points to several factors, including the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tension, an economic slowdown, and the ruling party’s slim majority due to the Bhumjaithai Party’s withdrawal.
"The casino-entertainment complex policy is divisive among parties and the public, so pulling it out is a strategic move. Still, I believe the government won't abandon the project which is intended to stimulate the economy," he said.
Reasons Behind the Delay
Olarn Thinbangtieo, deputy dean of Burapha University's Faculty of Political Science and Law, outlines two main reasons behind the delay. First, the government now has a slim majority after the Bhumjaithai Party left the coalition over a leaked audio clip between Prime Minister Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
Second, the Prachachat Party, a coalition partner with support in the three southern border provinces, has opposed the bill on religious grounds. Other partners such as the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party and Democrat Party may also weigh the political costs of supporting the bill.
Public discontent over the government's handling of the Thai-Cambodia territorial dispute is also gaining momentum. Mr. Olarn suggests that protests against the casino-entertainment policy could gain even more traction if the bill proceeds.
When the bill was first placed on the House agenda earlier this year, it sparked protests led by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT). Although the demonstrations subsided after the session ended in April, public sentiment against the bill remains strong.
Mr. Olarn believes the government might wait for public sentiments to cool off before reviving the bill, but he notes that this could be wishful thinking as protests seem increasingly justified.
Opposition Dynamics and Future Outlook
The opposition People's Party (PP), which has expressed interest in legalizing gambling, is likely to distance itself from the casino bill for now and focus on the amnesty proposal, which aligns with its political interests.
"If the PP and Pheu Thai share the belief that the old power bloc is aiming to topple Thaksin and Ms. Paetongtarn, they may form an alliance for long-term goals and eventually realign on the bill. But for now, Pheu Thai must survive the fragile coalition and avoid inflaming street protests," he said.
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