Protesters demand Thai government to drop casino legalization bill

Opponents of Thailand's Entertainment Complex Bill are urging the government not only to delay but also to fully withdraw its proposal to legalize casinos.

On Wednesday, demonstrators dressed in white and waving Thai flags marched to Parliament, demanding the bill be dropped entirely, the Bangkok Post reported. Many expressed concern over the potentially negative implications of legalizing casinos, despite government claims that the focus is not on gambling but on developing broader entertainment complexes.

Although a parliamentary debate on the bill was scheduled for Wednesday, it was postponed in favour of discussions on a recent deadly earthquake and the impact of the U.S. imposing a 36% tariff on Thai imports.

Chief Government Whip Wisut Chainarun clarified that the bill had only been delayed, not abandoned. However, he noted it would not necessarily be prioritized in the next legislative session. While coalition parties were aligned on the matter, he cited the importance of public consensus.

“Differences of opinion are normal in a democracy, and it is essential to foster public understanding,” he said, as per the Bangkok Post report.

Pichit Chaimongkol, Leader of the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, argued that even if part of a larger project, a casino is still a casino — and would be harmful to society.

He also warned that the government’s urgency in pushing the bill could signal involvement by vested private interests.

“Our objective is to stop the casino. If the bill is not withdrawn, our group will take action to stop the government,” added Warong Dechgitvigrom, Leader of the Thai Pakdee Party.

Protest leader Khumphong Phumphukhieo also raised concerns about potential spikes in money laundering and other crimes. He and others said they lacked faith in the government’s ability to manage such complexes transparently, pointing to issues with the digital wallet money handout as a reason for distrust.

Moreover, former senator Somchai Sawangkarn cast doubt on the Senate’s decision to set up a committee to review the bill, suspecting it was a move to support rather than scrutinise it.

Among other critics was Bangkok’s Roman Catholic Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, who petitioned the government to reject the plan, warning of social consequences linked to gambling. However, he noted he had no issue with entertainment that catered to all ages and genders.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed the opposition as political posturing this week. Speaking at a high-level government meeting, she insisted the critics were misrepresenting the plan.

Shinawatra pointed out that casinos would only take up 10% of the complexes and denied claims that it would turn Thailand into a gambling hub. “That’s simply not true," she said.