A campaign is underway in Thailand to gather 50,000 signatures, the requirement to trigger a public referendum on casino legalization. Will the public get to decide?
A campaign seeking a referendum on the legalization of casinos in Thailand is aiming to gather 50,000 signatures, the threshold needed to trigger a public vote on the controversial issue.
Once 50,000 signatures are collected, they will be submitted to the Election Commission (EC) along with a referendum petition. The EC will then have up to 30 days to verify the signers' eligibility. After verification, the EC will forward the information to the cabinet via its secretariat, according to Mr. Thanakorn. He added that the Referendum Act mandates the cabinet to acknowledge the petition and set a referendum date; they cannot reject it.
Thailand’s government is aggressively pushing to legalize casinos, targeting a 2026 enactment of the bill. Thailand Prime Minister Paengtorn Shinawatra favored the measure, citing its effect to the economy. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra - who remains a key figure in Thailand politics even after being deposed by a coup in 2006 - lobbied for the measure.
The draft law has been approved and will be forwarded to parliament for consideration. If passed, it would authorize the opening of multiple casino-entertainment complexes throughout the country.
According to Thanakorn, over 70,000 people have already signed a separate petition opposing the bill. The network believes that legalizing casinos is a significant issue with potentially harmful effects on the public, making a referendum necessary to allow citizens to determine the project's future.
Despite calls for a referendum on the entertainment complex bill, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai previously expressed reservations, stating that while the government welcomes feedback, delays could negatively impact the economy. He emphasized the importance of these complexes for economic stimulus. The government has allotted the Council of State 50 days to review the bill before its submission to the House for debate
The Council of State has yet to finalize the casino area percentage, despite several meetings with related agencies. The Finance Ministry has suggested 10% of each complex be allocated to casinos, but no agreement has been reached.
Social Development Minister Varawut Silpa-archa highlighted the potential benefits and risks, including job creation versus human trafficking.
Read related article: Thailand Official on Casino Law Referendum: "What's the Point?"
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