Thailand Casino Legalization: Opposition Claims Referendum Threshold Met
Thailand Casino Legalization: Opposition Claims Referendum Threshold Met
- Thailand’s government is considering legalising casinos
- There is strong opposition to the gaming push
- PM Shinawatra believes casinos will diversify Thailand’s economy
Opposition to allowing Las Vegas-style resorts in Thailand claims to have collected sufficient signatures to initiate a nationwide referendum.
The Stop Gambling Foundation of Thailand, supported by over 200 civil organisations, asserts it has gathered more than 53,900 signatures opposing the Pheu Thai Party’s pursuit of legalising casino games in the Southeast Asian nation. This is significant as Thailand’s National Referendum Act mandates that at least 50,000 signatures are required for a referendum campaign.
The Electoral Commission of Thailand will now verify these signatures. If the requisite threshold is achieve, the referendum will be forwarded to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Cabinet for consideration.
A referendum would provide the government with a clear mandate from the people, reducing public resistance, and instilling confidence in the investment climate for casino development,” said Thanakorn Khomkrit of the Stop Gambling Foundation.
Shinawatra, a member of the Pheu Thai party founded by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, advocates that legal casinos could diversify Thailand’s tourism economy, enabling it to better compete with the Philippines and Singapore, both of which boast integrated resort casinos.
Opposition Says Casino Bill is Rushed
Currently, the only legal forms of gambling in Thailand include the state-run lottery and parimutuel betting on horse races, established by the Gambling Act of 1935.
Although conversations to authorise new gambling forms have surfaced in recent years, the influential Shinawatra has accelerated efforts to pass a casino bill since taking office last August.
At 38, Shinawatra is Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister and the second woman to lead the country after her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Opponents argue that the legislative process has been excessively rapid. They challenge Shinawatra’s claims that Singapore leveraged its casino duopoly effectively to draw high spenders from across Asia, including China.
Singapore dedicated years to thorough research and public consultation before making its decision,” stated Wasinee Sonsaeb of the Youth Network Against Gambling. “It is irresponsible to selectively adopt favorable features from foreign models while disregarding others.
Although traditional gambling remains prohibited in Thailand, numerous illicit gambling venues operate clandestinely, often linked with other criminal activities.
Referendum Can’t Block Lawmakers
In Thailand, referendums primarily allow citizens to voice opposition to legislative proposals. Public sentiment largely opposes casino establishments, with the Pheu Thai bill proposing resorts in prominent locations such as Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
Shinawatra’s administration supports the construction of two casinos in the capital and one in each of the other targeted regions.
