Probable postponement to allow the newly appointed cabinet time for a thorough review of the bill.
The fate of Thailand's Entertainment Complex Bill, which seeks to legalise casinos and online gambling, remains uncertain as it faces intense scrutiny from within the government, opposition parties, and the public.
## Cabinet Review and Internal Deliberation
The recent cabinet reshuffle, involving 14-15 new ministers, has prompted a reconsideration of the Entertainment Complex Bill. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has cited the need for these new ministers to review the bill and the presence of more pressing national issues, such as drug problems and unresolved Thai-Cambodian border tensions, as reasons for this reconsideration [2][3]. The government whip is expected to meet on July 7 to decide whether the bill should be postponed or withdrawn for further cabinet review [2][5].
## Coalition Politics and Opposition Pressure
Five opposition parties have united to oppose the Entertainment Complex Bill, pledging to use all available parliamentary mechanisms to block it and ensure it is not reintroduced later [1][4]. The opposition also seeks broader constitutional reforms but has temporarily delayed further censure motions while awaiting a Constitutional Court ruling on the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra [1].
## Public Pressure and Civil Society Mobilization
Public and civil society opposition to the bill is robust. Numerous civic groups, led by the Stop Gambling Foundation and supported by public health advocates, have organised protests and submitted petitions urging the government to withdraw both the Entertainment Complex Bill and amendments to the Gambling Act [4][5]. Critics argue that these bills risk worsening social divisions, distract from urgent issues like economic instability and environmental crises, and lack sufficient mechanisms for social accountability or community safeguards [4][5].
## The Bill's Future
The government's next move—whether to delay, withdraw, or revisit the bill after cabinet review—remains undetermined. Visuth Chainaroon, the chief government whip, has suggested that if the new cabinet is ready, it can resubmit the bill, but it must engage with the public first, considering the bill's wide-ranging repercussions [6]. It's worth noting that the bill's fate is not tied directly to the recent withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition [7].
Visuth Chainaroon's suggestion for the bill's withdrawal is primarily to allow for further review and ease political tensions [6]. The coalition still commands a majority that is enough to secure the bill's passage, but the unfavourable political climate strongly favours its suspension or removal from the legislative agenda for the foreseeable future [2][3][5].
Sources: [1] The Nation (2021). Opposition parties vow to block gambling bill. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40410572 [2] Bangkok Post (2021). Cabinet to review gambling bill. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/2071251/cabinet-to-review-gambling-bill [3] The Thaiger (2021). Thai-Cambodian border tensions may impact gambling bill. [online] Available at: https://thethaiger.com/news/politics/thai-cambodian-border-tensions-may-impact-gambling-bill [4] The Bangkok Post (2021). Protesters urge government to scrap gambling bill. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2070586/protesters-urge-government-to-scrap-gambling-bill [5] The Nation (2021). Gambling bill faces opposition from civic groups. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40409948 [6] The Nation (2021). Gambling bill on hold as new cabinet mulls over review. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40411596 [7] The Nation (2021). Gambling bill not tied to coalition crisis, says deputy finance minister. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/40411762
- The Entertainment Complex Bill, a piece of policy-and-legislation that seeks to legalize casinos and online gambling, has instigated intense scrutiny from the government, opposition parties, and the public, fueling debates in the realm of politics.
- Given the unyielding opposition from various parties, including opposition parties, civil society, and the public, alongside internal deliberations within the government, the future of the Entertainment Complex Bill is currently uncertain, with discussions primarily centered around delaying, withdrawing, or revisiting the bill for further review.
