Follow Thai politics in English — government policy, elections, parliament and political developments, with reporting and analysis from Thai PBS World.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today that he is not worried about the Senate’s objections to the controversial draft Entertainment Complex bill (“casino bill”) or the government’s decision to postpone its deliberation in parliament.
Blaming political elements for distorting their controversial entertainment complex project, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said today that her government hopes to be able to convince all parties concerned of the real objective of the project during the upcoming eight-week parliamentary recess.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has revealed that Bhumjaithai party leader has offered her an apology for comments made yesterday, in parliament, by the party's secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, regarding the draft entertainment complex bill.
Despite the government's deferment of the first reading of the controversial draft entertainment complex bill, hundreds of anti-casino protesters continue their demonstrations, demanding that the bill be withdrawn.
The Constitutional Court has agreed, by 5:3 votes, to consider a motion for the court to rule on the duties and authorities of parliament in amending the country’s Constitution, in accordance with Section 210.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) filed a petition today, with Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan and People’s party MP Teerajchai Phunthumas, representing the leader of the Opposition, calling for the withdrawal of the controversial casino bill, arguing that casinos would lead to numerous social problems.
The Senate has agreed to set up a 35-member committee to conduct a 180-day comprehensive study of the advantages and disadvantages of the government’s inclusion of a casino in its proposed entertainment complex project.
The Prachachart party, a member of the governing coalition, issued a statement today rejecting the Pheu Thai party’s draft entertainment complex bill, claiming that its content contravenes Islamic precepts and may have negative impacts on the morals and culture of society.
Songklanagarind Hospital, a medical and research institute in Thailand’s Songkhla province, has joined the opposition to the draft entertainment complex bill, calling for the government to reconsider.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has warned government coalition parties to ensure that their MPs vote in support of the draft entertainment complex bill in parliament this Wednesday, or they may face expulsion from the government, said informed political sources.
Pheu Thai secretary general Sorawong Thienthong is confident that government coalition parties will support the controversial draft entertainment complex bill in its first reading in parliament this Wednesday.
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 10th.
