Opposition to the government’s casino project is escalating, with the Buddhist Association of Thailand and a group of about 50 former members of the constitution drafting assembly joining the cause. The entertainment complex bill, which includes a casino, is due to have its first reading in parliament on April 9.
In an open letter, addressed to Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Professor Jarun Pakdeethanakul, a former Constitutional Court judge, asked both senators and MPs to reject the bill, claiming that it will not help in solving economic problems or improve the livelihoods of the people, but will only benefit certain groups of foreign casino investors.
The bill, he said, would enable Thai people to have access to the casino in the complex and online gambling, which would also be legalised by the bill, leading to possible habitual gambling among Thai youth and increased criminal activity, including human trafficking.
Charan pointed out that the casino project was not mentioned in the government’s policy statement, but was added later because as an idea of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The bill, he noted, is not in line with the 20-year national strategic vision, announced in a Royal Command of October, 2018.
Meanwhile, the Buddhist Association of Thailand issued a statement on Saturday, voicing its opposition to the casino project, claiming that the entertainment complex project would not be a path towards prosperity, but a source of vice.
“As a mother, Thailand should be a land of Dharma, not a land of vice,” the statement opined.
“A mother should understand the value the future of her children, which is rooted in Dharma, rather than opening up for the entry of vices,” read the statement.
