The upper house of Thailand’s parliament is expected to form a committee to study the possible impact of legalising casino resorts, once a bill on the matter is discussed by the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, something that could begin next week.
The information about the move by the Senate, the upper house of the National Assembly (pictured), was in a Thursday report by the Bangkok Post newspaper, citing Pisit Apiwattanapong, a senator described as spokesman of the Senate committee on Senate affairs.
According to the senator, two motions related to the initiative have been tabled for the upper house’s sitting on April 8.
The news outlet cited Mr Pisit as saying the Senate was divided on the casino policy, and he suggested most senators opposed it, and wanted a public referendum before any decision.
Chief government whip Wisut Chainarun said on Wednesday that the casino bill would not be examined in the lower house on Thursday (April 3), but would instead be reviewed on April 9. He added that Thursday’s meeting would focus on matters stemming from the recent earthquake.
The Bangkok Post’s report said that on Wednesday Thanakorn Kromkrit – described as secretary-general of a body called the Stop Gambling Foundation – joined with Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, speaker of the House of Representatives, plus the opposition and People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, to submit a petition against the casino bill.
Mr Thanakorn urged all political parties to reject the bill and called on the opposition to propose a referendum.
The news outlet also reported that Mr Thanakorn had called the casino policy irresponsible, arguing it was not part of any election campaign and lacked a comprehensive study.
