Bangkok: Deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, Mr. Chaimongkol Chairob, has delivered a strong critique against the current government's proposal to open gambling dens, accusing them of deceiving the public and neglecting sustainable economic policies.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chaimongkol, who is also an MP for Sakon Nakhon District 5, voiced his concerns over the draft of the Complete Entertainment Business Act B.E., which includes the opening of casinos in Thailand. He highlighted the potential negative impacts on society and called for greater transparency from the Palang Pracharath Party to educate the public about the disadvantages of casinos. Mr. Chaimongkol emphasized that the government had ignored warnings from international leaders, such as President Xi Jinping, regarding the potential problems associated with entertainment complexes.
Mr. Chaimongkol elaborated on the structure of the proposed entertainment complex, which would include both above-ground components like hotels and restaurants, and underground elements such as casinos. While he did not object to the project as a whole, he criticized the inclusion of casinos, which he claimed would lead to societal issues such as drug problems, crime, and economic instability. He argued that casinos primarily benefit capitalists at the expense of the poorer population, drawing parallels with the Government Lottery Office's unfulfilled promises of national development.
He further criticized the government's reliance on gambling revenue as a short-term economic solution, suggesting that it would create societal problems rather than address the root causes of economic issues. Mr. Chaimongkol proposed that if gambling facilities must be opened, they should be situated in less tourist-centric areas like Nong Bua Lamphu Province, rather than in established tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai or Phuket.
Mr. Chaimongkol urged all coalition parties to consider the long-term implications for future generations and called for them to oppose the bill. Addressing the Pheu Thai Party, he challenged them to include the opening of gambling dens as a central policy in their 2027 election campaign, questioning how many voters would support such a platform.