The leaders of Thailand’s two largest coalition parties – Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai – have stated their alliance remains strong, despite a representative from the Bhumjaithai Party speaking against the government’s casino legalisation bill.
The reassurance from the respective party leaders came during a joint press conference on Thursday, reported The Nation newspaper.
On Wednesday, during a parliamentary debate, the Bhumjaithai Party’s secretary-general, Chaichanok Chidchob, said he would reject the Entertainment Complex Bill “no matter who proposed it”, according to the media outlet.
On Thursday, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that Mr Chaichanok’s remarks were made without prior party approval and represented his opinion.
“Chaichanok will also have to comply with the party’s resolution to pass the bill, regardless of his personal views,” Mr Anutin was cited as saying.
Pheu Thai is a successor organisation to a Thai political party founded by Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister.
On Tuesday, the nine-MP Prachachat Party – a minority partner in the coalition, and which draws its support from the predominantly Muslim south of the country – issued a formal statement saying it “cannot accept the principles” of the bill to legalise casino gaming in the nation.
The dissent was voiced subsequent to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra – a daughter of Mr Shinawatra – shelving plans for a Wednesday reading of the enabling legislation in the National Assembly.
The reading of the bill has now been postponed until at least July, when the new parliamentary session begins, according to reports by Thai media.
On Thursday, Ms Shinawatra dismissed concerns over potential tension between the parties that form the coalition. She said that at a Tuesday meeting, all parties that support the government agreed to nod the bill, while a few MPs expressed religious objections, which she said she understood.
Thai PBS, a news outlet, quoted the premier saying she hoped during the eight-week parliamentary recess, to be able to convince all parties concerned, of the value of the Entertainment Complex Bill.
Ms Shinawatra acknowledged that the government had not adequately communicated with people regarding the measure, which eventually led to growing opposition to it.
Asked about the possibility of conducting a referendum to gauge the public’s opinion about the casino issue, she said that the government had not thought about it, adding that it would have to be discussed among the coalition parties.
