Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Thailand’s Parliament last week to oppose the government’s plan to legalize casinos under the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill. The demonstration, led by three prominent civic groups, called for the complete removal of the bill from the parliamentary agenda, citing moral, religious, and procedural concerns.
The protest was organized by the Student and People Network for Thailand Reform (SNT), the People’s Centre to Protect the Monarchy, and the Dharmma Army. Approximately 400 individuals began marching from Government House early Thursday morning and proceeded to Parliament, where they held speeches and presented a formal letter demanding the bill be permanently shelved.
Deputy House Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan received the petition and confirmed that the bill would not be discussed on the House floor on Thursday or Friday. However, protest leaders insisted they would continue their campaign until the legislation is entirely scrapped.
Accusations of Hidden Intent and Religious Conflict
Though the bill is officially framed as a measure to develop integrated entertainment complexes, demonstrators contend its main goal is to legalize casino gambling—a move they argue clashes with the teachings of Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Protest leaders warned that legalizing gambling would cause social harm and degrade the country’s moral fabric.
Pichit Chaimongkol, leader of the SNT, urged House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha to consider religious values and reject the proposal altogether. “No faith endorses gambling or the establishment of casinos,” he stated, accusing the government of ignoring public opposition and using questionable data to support its case.
Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan also expressed concern that the bill could provoke unrest in Thailand’s southern provinces, where the majority Muslim population strongly opposes gambling. “Why does the Prime Minister want to be the chief of gambling dens now?” he asked while warning Wan Noor that mere assurances would not satisfy the movement.
Criticism Over Poll Data and Legislative Priorities
Another vocal critic, Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom, challenged the credibility of government survey results. The survey, conducted by the Fiscal Policy Office, claimed 57,000 of 80,000 respondents favored the bill. Warong dismissed these figures as implausible and highlighted that his organization had gathered over 100,000 signatures opposing the bill.
Similar doubts were raised earlier by former Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, who questioned how such a high level of support could be so consistent across all eight questions posed in the survey. He also criticized the Cabinet for uncritically accepting the survey findings.
Lawmakers and civil society groups have also expressed unease over how quickly the bill is moving through Parliament. People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu noted that only a few sessions remain in the current term, warning against rushing complex legislation without thorough scrutiny.
Earthquake Recovery Should Take Precedence, Say Critics
The protests come at a time when parts of Thailand are still recovering from a recent earthquake that caused widespread damage. Critics, including a coalition of 189 former senators, have urged the government to redirect its focus toward disaster recovery and public welfare, rather than advancing controversial gambling legislation.
The Entertainment Complex Bill, approved by the Cabinet in March, proposes casino development in four locations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chonburi. Supporters argue the project could boost tourism, draw foreign investment, and curb underground gambling activities.
Despite these claims, opposition remains strong among religious leaders, political groups, and concerned citizens who see the proposal as a direct threat to Thailand’s moral and social values.
As protests continue and public scrutiny intensifies, the future of the bill remains uncertain. Demonstrators have pledged to maintain pressure on lawmakers until the proposal is entirely withdrawn from consideration.
Source:
Protesters march to Parliament to oppose casino bill, The Nation Thailand, April 3, 2025.
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