Thailand’s Senate committee is getting ready to invite Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to explain- and justify- the government’s Entertainment Complex Bill. That’s set to happen at the committee’s third session on May 15, where the Prime Minister is expected to appear. The committee is under pressure from politicians and the public to clarify the bill’s intentions and impact.

That’s not going to happen this Thursday, though. Contrary to what some people are saying, Senator Veerapun Suvannamai- the committee head- says the meeting will actually be about setting up the committee’s structure and laying the groundwork for its examination of the bill. No Prime Minister or outside stakeholders will be there.

The committee has 180 days to really dig into the proposal. As part of that process, they will form at least two subcommittees. One will look at the financial and economic side of things-the potential profits and losses of these entertainment complexes. The other will examine the social implications-what this could mean for the community. Those findings will be crucial when the bill comes back to Parliament for debate in July.

Legislation Delayed Following Pushback

Originally scheduled for its first reading in the House of Representatives on 9 April, the bill was delayed after opposition parties and community groups spoke out against it. Critics said the government was pushing the bill through without proper public consultation or ethical scrutiny.

Approved by the Cabinet in March, the Entertainment Complex Bill is part of Thailand’s overall plan to reduce its dependence on seasonal tourism. The proposal is for multi-functional entertainment zones with hotels, performance venues, water parks and limited casino operations – just 10% of the total development area.

Government Stresses Oversight and Economic Vision

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra spoke on TV and defended the bill saying it’s a forward thinking development strategy not a way to open up gambling. She said any casino will be strictly regulated like Singapore and only people who meet certain legal and financial criteria will be allowed to enter.

The government has said a strict screening process will be in place to prevent people who are vulnerable to gambling addiction or financial instability from entering the casino areas. They say this is like the international model of integrated resorts that prioritize responsible gaming and social safeguards.

Public Reaction Remains Split

The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll recently conducted showed mixed public sentiment on the bill. Some agreed that casinos within the larger entertainment complexes are good for the economy while others said the non-gambling games or the casino games themselves are bad. Others said they are indifferent to the casino part altogether.

As the process goes on, the government has to balance economic goals with ethical concerns and social responsibility.