In an effort to address the issue of illegal casinos and boost the country’s economy, MPs from various parties proposed in a resolution that the House of Representatives establish a 60-member committee to look into the potential construction of entertainment complexes, including casinos.
Thoedchart Chaipong, a Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai; Non Paisanlimcharoenkij, a Move Forward Party MP for Nonthaburi; and Chatchawal Kong-udom, a list-MP for the United Thai Nation Party, were among those who supported the resolution.
At a House meeting on Thursday, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha presided over the consideration of a motion proposing the creation of a committee to investigate the situation.
While expressing his support, Move Forward Party list-MP Rangsiman Rome cautioned that the previous House of Representatives had already constituted a similar working body to investigate this issue.
The opposition MP stated that he had received information about a Tak province-based business that was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of human organs and human trafficking. This business was able to send a representative to the committee to voice its opinions, ostensibly with the intention of doing harm.
Mr. Rangsiman emphasized the need of taking precautions to guard against unscrupulous influence.
Legalizing casinos in Thailand, according to the Move Forward MP, may cause border-operating casinos to fail and divert Thai gamblers’ funds to the government for national development.
MP Chatchawal of the United Thai Nation Party list brought attention to the revenue loss resulting from Thai nationals visiting neighboring nations to gamble in casinos. Mr. Chatchawal claimed that many people disapproved of his initial proposal to legalize casinos thirty years ago.
According to him, the nation should have at least five entertainment centers with casinos spread out strategically, one in each of the following areas: the North, South, East, West, and Central Plains. According to him, this would eliminate the need for certain Thais to work overseas by creating local jobs.
