Government majority threatened as Bhumjaithai Party withdraws from coalition, potentially jeopardizing support for casino bill and other key policies
In a significant turn of events, the Bhumjaithai Party has withdrawn from the government coalition, a move triggered by a leaked audio recording of a phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. This development has caused controversy in Thailand's political landscape and has implications for the country's ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.
The withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party has also impacted the progress of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which seeks to legalize casino gaming in Thailand. The bill, which remains on the parliamentary docket, has been delayed, de-prioritized, and postponed from its original July 9 debate date.
The Senate committee, dominated by Bhumjaithai Party members, has urged the government to withdraw the legislation, citing potential breaches of the 2017 Constitution and economic concerns. The committee has highlighted constitutional issues related to the bill's framing, lack of clear transparency about casino operations, doubts about projected government revenue, and worries about the bill's effectiveness against illegal gambling.
Despite the Bhumjaithai Party’s exit, the Pheu Thai Party, which currently leads the government, has reaffirmed its support for the bill as a tourism booster. The party is engaging in additional consultations to address concerns such as money laundering controls and Thai citizens' access to gambling. The Senate panel is also awaiting input from the Prime Minister to clarify revenue, land use, anti-money laundering safeguards, and other economic impacts before proceeding further.
The ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, triggered by a clash on 28 May, is a significant geopolitical issue. The dispute has not been directly linked to the Entertainment Complex Bill or the leaked phone call between the Prime Minister and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The leaked audio recording, however, has caused controversy in Thailand's political landscape, with criticism of the Thai army's role in the border dispute. The Bhumjaithai Party has previously clashed with the Pheu Thai Party over casino gaming legalization, and this latest development may further complicate the future of casino gaming legislation in Thailand.
The Entertainment Complex Bill is one of several major policies currently being debated in Thailand. Its delay and the Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal from the coalition may signal a shift in the country's political landscape, with no immediate progress expected until these issues are resolved. The Senate is expected to release a report in August, following the Prime Minister's input, and the focus seems to have shifted towards amnesty bills instead.
In summary, the Entertainment Complex Bill, which seeks to legalize casino gaming in Thailand, is currently stalled due to significant legal and political challenges following the Bhumjaithai Party’s departure from the government coalition. The ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia continues to be a significant geopolitical issue. The leaked audio recording of a phone call between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen has caused controversy in Thailand's political landscape, but it is not directly related to the Entertainment Complex Bill or the border dispute.
The delay in the progress of the Entertainment Complex Bill, a legislation aimed at legalizing casino gaming in Thailand, is now connected to the Bhumjaithai Party's withdrawal from the government coalition. This departure has also raised questions about the overall direction of Thailand's business and finance sectors, given the party's influential presence in the Senate committee. Furthermore, the political instability created by this event could have far-reaching implications for other major policies under debate in the country, including amnesty bills.
