The Thailand casino bill will be subject to a special Senate committee, with its first meeting scheduled for April 23, according to a report from local media.
The Bangkok Post states the meeting will be held next Wednesday and cites ‘a source’ in the report, with further details suggesting it could focus on appointing key positions, outlining the study’s framework, amongst other things.
This comes after the bill has caused controversy in the country, with protestors having formed outside parliament. Some of the complaints cite religious beliefs, while others who are against the casino bill see it as breaking the principles of the country’s property development.
The bill would allow for the development of casinos in Thailand, which is a place where most cases of gambling are outlawed.
Thailand casino bill could be discussed next Wednesday
There were plans for a discussion around the bill to have taken place on April 9, but this was pushed back at a time when the US was announcing tariffs.
According to the Bangkok Post, the secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong has called on the media to refrain from describing the bill as solely being a push to legalize casinos. The publisher states he said casinos are just an element to attract investors.
“Other types of investments are already covered by the existing laws. This is a special [project] to draw investors and generate revenue.”
The bill would allow for the creation of major entertainment complexes, which would house casinos, hotels, conference centers, and more.
It was in mid-march when four locations were named in the media for where the complexes could be based. These include Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, and Phuket – all of which are major tourist areas.
Since the talks around the casino bill have ramped up, protestors started to make their feelings know,n with anti-gambling campaigners gathering outside Government House in March.
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