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 Senate’s decision followed a three-hour debate on casino-related motions during the Senate meeting on Tuesday. One motion proposed a referendum, to gauge public opinion on the casino project, while another proposed the setting up of a committee to study the project.
During the debate, most senators voiced their opposition to the project and called on the government to withdraw the draft entertainment complex bill, instead of just postponing its deliberation in parliament.
Some senators expressed concerns over the negative social impacts of a casino, pointing to the risk of lax enforcement of laws by the authorities concerned.
Of the 35 members on the committee, 12 will be outsiders, including Jermsak Pinthong, Kaewsan Atibodhi, Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, Jarun Pakdeethanakul, Wutisan Tanchai and Somkid Lertpaithoon, some of whom are outspoken critics legalising casinos in Thailand.
