A bill to legalize casinos in Thailand is causing huge controversy. Recently, a coalition of several civil organizations submitted a petition to the Thai Election Commission, calling on the government to hold a national referendum on the "Entertainment Complex Act" to ensure that this far-reaching legislation has a public mandate.
The petition has received nearly 54,000 signatures from Thai citizens, exceeding the legal threshold. According to Kornkanok Makboon, the coordinator of the petition organization, the initiative has been launched since January this year and has received enthusiastic support in just a few months. Last Thursday, more than 100 representatives of anti-casino groups personally delivered the document to the Election Commission.
The "Entertainment Complex Act" aims to promote the legalization of integrated resorts with casinos, with the first phase expected to open up to five project sites. The bill was passed by the cabinet in January this year, and Deputy Minister of Finance Julapong Amornwiwat stated that the bill will become the "top priority" when Congress resumes in July.
Economic Potential and Controversy Coexist
Supporters believe that the bill will bring huge economic benefits, including:
Annual tourism revenue increase of $3.5 billion to $7 billion;
Each entertainment center attracts more than $2.9 billion in investment;
An increase of 5% to 10% in overseas tourists, with per capita spending rising to $1,945;
Creation of 9,000 to 15,000 jobs;
Annual tax revenue of up to $1.1 billion.
However, opposition is also high, especially from youth and anti-gambling organizations. Wasini Songsab, a representative of the Youth Anti-Gambling Network, warned that legalizing casinos could make it easier for young people to develop a gambling addiction. "Legalizing casinos is passing a dangerous social legacy to the next generation," she said.
She also criticized the government for using Singapore as an example to support the casino plan, noting that Singapore had spent a decade researching and consulting the public before opening casinos, rather than making a hasty decision.
Tanakorn Homklin, Secretary-General of the Thailand Gambling Abstinence Foundation, pointed out that holding a referendum on such a controversial issue is a "natural and necessary step." He believes: "If the people vote in support, the government will have legal authorization, social resistance will be significantly reduced, and investors' confidence in the policy will also increase."
According to the procedure, the Thai Election Commission will verify the signatures within 30 days, and then submit the petition to the Cabinet Secretariat for review to decide whether to initiate the referendum process.
This battle over the legalization of casinos may become a critical test of Thailand's future public policy and democratic participation.
