Bangkok: Anti-casino mob storms parliament again, protesting the entertainment complex bill, emphasizing that they do not want it to be postponed but must withdraw the bill.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, Chairman of the Thai Phakdee Party, and Mr. Pichit Chaiyamongkol, core leader of the Student and People's Network for Thailand Reform (CPTN), led the group protesting the draft bill on the operation of entertainment complexes. The protests included the Dharma Army, CPTN group, PDRC, and others who gathered in front of the parliament building near Wat Kaew Fa Chulamanee. Participants wore white shirts and held signs with messages such as "We Don't Want Casinos," "Oppose Casinos," and "No Casinos." They marched with vehicles equipped with loudspeakers, chanting "Don't Want Casinos" and reading statements of opposition.
Mr. Phichit stated that the gathering aimed to halt the establishment of casinos. Despite the postponement of the draft's consideration, there is no assurance that it will be withdrawn or not submitted to parliament. The protesting groups insist on maintaining their stance against the draft. They argue that even if the government frames the proposal as a full-service entertainment venue, the involvement of casinos suggests otherwise. Concerns about hidden capitalist interests persist among the protesters, who assert that casinos should not exist in Thailand. The presence of additional opposition groups reflects widespread disapproval, necessitating the draft's withdrawal and the exclusion of the amnesty bill from consideration.
Dr. Warong emphasized the sole objective of stopping casinos, urging the Prime Minister to act. He warned that failure to halt the casino proposal could lead to efforts to stop the government itself.
The protest continued outside the parliament building, where security personnel were stationed at the gate. Representatives from the group took turns delivering speeches to express their opposition and determination.