Opponents of bringing Las Vegas-style casino resorts to Thailand say they’ve secured enough public support to trigger a nationwide referendum.
The Stop Gambling Foundation of Thailand — backed by more than 200 civic groups — claims it has collected over 53,900 signatures from citizens opposing the Pheu Thai Party’s push to legalize slot machines and table games. Under Thailand’s National Referendum Act, at least 50,000 valid signatures are required to initiate the process.
The Electoral Commission is now tasked with certifying the signatures. If the threshold is confirmed, the referendum proposal will be forwarded to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Cabinet for review.
“A referendum would give the government a clear mandate from the people, reduce public resistance, and give investors confidence in the legal framework for casino developments,” said Thanakorn Khomkrit of the Stop Gambling Foundation, via the Bangkok Post.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a member of the Pheu Thai Party founded by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has argued that legal casinos would diversify Thailand’s tourism economy and help it compete with regional rivals like the Philippines and Singapore.
Opposition Says Casino Bill Is Being Rushed
Currently, Thailand only permits the state lottery and parimutuel horse race betting, a framework established under the 1935 Gambling Act. Although expanded gambling has been debated before, Shinawatra has made legalization a priority since taking office last August following the removal of former PM Srettha Thavisin.
At 38, she is Thailand’s youngest prime minister and only the second woman to hold the role, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Critics say her Pheu Thai-controlled government has fast-tracked the casino proposal since she assumed power.
Opponents argue the process is moving too quickly. They point to Singapore’s decade-long research and public consultation before authorizing its integrated resorts — a contrast to Thailand’s rapid approach.
“To cherry-pick only the parts of foreign models that support one’s agenda while ignoring the rest is irresponsible,” said Wasinee Sonsaeb of the Youth Network Against Gambling.
Thailand already has widespread underground gambling operations, often linked to money laundering, drugs, and prostitution, despite its strict anti-gambling laws.
Referendum Cannot Block Lawmakers
Citizen-led referendums in Thailand allow the public to formally show opposition to government bills but do not have binding power over lawmakers.
Polls suggest considerable public resistance to casino legalization. The current Pheu Thai bill proposes integrated resorts in Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, with two casinos envisioned for the capital and one each for the other three regions.
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