At 10:00 a.m. on June 15 at the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) headquarters, Mr. Payu Nueangchamnong, Deputy Spokesperson of the party, addressed the proposal for a referendum on the draft bill for integrated entertainment complexes. He noted that although the amended referendum law is not yet finalized, the entertainment complex bill is currently the first item on the House of Representatives’ agenda. If the parliamentary session opens on July 3 and the bill passes its first reading, it will proceed through the legislative process.
Mr. Payu added that public opinions on the matter have already been collected through various channels. The parliament has conducted several studies and consultations on this issue. If the bill passes its first reading, the committee stage will certainly involve more forms of public consultation.
However, he emphasized that this issue should not be handled through a referendum, especially since entertainment complexes, including casinos under state control, are not new ideas. He pointed out that Thailand already has examples of such regulation, like horse racing tracks and boxing stadiums.