Senate Committee Pushes for Public Vote on Proposed Casino Legislation
Here's a rewrite of the article with an informal, straightforward style:
Let's dive into the drama surrounding Thailand's proposed casino-entertainment complex bill, shall we? This baby has raised a whole bunch of red flags and questions about the constitution, transparency, and good old-fashioned governance.
Last Thursday, a Senate special committee got together to discuss the bill, led by Sen Veerapun Suvannamai. The main objective was to review the proposed legislation, and boy did they find some interesting stuff!
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was supposed to clarify the government's stance, but she was away on vacay in Vietnam, so she sent her deputy, Julapun Amornvivat, instead. But Julapun wasn't available either, so the powwow got pushed to June 5, according to Sen Veerapun.
With PM Paetongtarn and her posse MIA, the committee moved on to discussing the bill's academic side. Sen Chirmsak Pinthong, the committee's adviser, raised concerns about the government's draft. He reckoned it was a cunning ploy to legalize massive casinos without the public knowing.
Chirmsak wasn't pleased about the policy board chaired by the Prime Minister, which he cheekily dubbed the "casino cabinet." He pointed out that the board had powers galore, raising worries about unchecked authority and accountability.
The bill's revenue potential has people talking too. It doesn't specify any minimum threshold for revenue guarantees, creating confusion over financial oversight. And here's a kicker: concessions could be granted without a bidding process or a public hearing or environmental impact assessment on the project!
Chirmsak dropped some juicy rumors about potential casino sites, like a 3,800-rai plot of land at Klong Toey Port in Bangkok. If it all goes down there, the investors would have rights to land worth a whopping 100 billion baht, but would only pay the state 1.1 billion baht in concessions annually.
Other proposed sites include Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district and Chon Buri's U-Tapao area. But remember, if things don't go as planned, this 30-year casino concession could be a burden on our kids and grandkids, Chirmsak warned.
Kaewsan Atibhoti, a committee member, chimed in, saying the project might benefit foreign investors more than the Thai people. Phew, talk about stirring the pot!
In a nutshell, the proposed casino-entertainment complex bill in Thailand has got everyone hot under the collar, thanks to concerns about constitutional adherence, transparency, governance, and the public's say in the matter. Senate committees are digging deep into the bill's potential impacts, while political and legal challenges loom. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on this rollercoaster ride!
- The casino-and-gambling bill in Thailand is creating a stir in the politics realm, with concerns over the constitution, transparency, and who gains the most from the project.
- The proposed casino-entertainment complex bill in Thailand has sparked discussions about the potential impacts on governance, the public's say in matters, and the possibility of unchecked authority and unbalanced benefits for foreign investors.
