Government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap reiterated today that casinos will represent just 10% of the activities in the proposed integrated entertainment complex project and that most of the activities in the complex will be unrelated to gambling, such as a concert arena, an amusement park, a waterpark, as well as convention and exhibition halls.
He dismissed reports that the Council of State has rejected the draft bill for the project, claiming that they simply made observations about how it should be amended.
He said that the draft bill will be formally submitted to the Council of State for screening and fine tuning, before it is tabled in the House of Representatives for debate.
Council of State Secretary-General Pakorn Nilpraphan told the media, before the cabinet meeting yesterday, that they did not object the project per se, but offered its recommendation that the draft bill clearly specifies the goals of the project, so that clear and appropriate guidelines can be developed.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said that he expects the draft to be submitted to parliament within the next 2 months and is confident that the project will boost tourist arrivals by up to 20% and increase their average spending.
Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said that his Prachachart party has no objection to the project, but the party’s MPs will discuss whether such a project would violate the tenets of the Islamic faith.
