A civil network has initiated a signature-collection campaign to demand a referendum on the legalisation of casinos in the country. Local media reported that The Stop Gambling Foundation and 200 partner organisations are seeking to gather at least 50,000 signatures to urge the government to consult the public on the issue.
The foundation previously conducted an online survey to measure public sentiment on the Entertainment Complex Bill, a proposal by the ruling Pheu Thai Party. More than 70,000 people have signed against the bill, indicating strong opposition. The bill, if approved, would permit the establishment of casino entertainment complexes nationwide.
The foundation argues that legalising casinos could have adverse effects on society, necessitating public participation in the decision-making process. Once the signatures are collected, they will be submitted to the Election Commission (EC) along with a formal petition requesting the referendum. The EC will then verify the petitioners’ qualifications, a process expected to take up to 30 days before the request is forwarded to the cabinet.
The government has indicated that it does not consider a referendum necessary. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that while the government is open to public opinion, delaying the bill could impact the country’s economy.
Last week, the Council of State was given 50 days to complete its legal review of the bill before it is presented to Parliament for deliberation. Officials maintain that the policy has already been approved, making a referendum redundant. The council’s secretary-general, Pakorn Nilprapunt, noted that a referendum would only be considered if the government deemed the bill a potential risk.
At a press conference titled “People Move Forward to Gather 50,000 Signatures: No to Casinos, Referendum Required,” activists and academics voiced their concerns over the bill.
Thai Newsroom quoted Dr. Chittawan Chanagul from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Economics criticising the use of gambling as an economic strategy, arguing that such policies benefit large investors while negatively affecting the general public. The professor pointed out that casinos remain illegal in China, despite gambling tourism drawing large amounts of money abroad. He cited China’s firm stance against legalising casinos as evidence of their economic and social drawbacks.
Critics also argue that no political party had campaigned to legalise casinos, making the proposal a breach of public trust. Some activists believe the Election Commission should review the issue to determine whether the government’s actions align with democratic principles.
Stop Gambling Foundation secretary-general Thanakorn Komkrit reiterated that the petition aims to ensure that the government considers the public’s perspective before proceeding. He urged authorities to hold a referendum within 120 days of receiving the signatures.
As the government moves forward with its review of the Entertainment Complex Bill, opposition groups continue to advocate for greater public participation in the decision-making process. The outcome of the petition and the government’s response could shape the future of the casino industry in the Southeast Asian country.
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