House approves study on “integrated entertainment complex” project

After a wide ranging debate, the lower House has approved a study into the establishment of an “integrated entertainment complex”, which would include the first legalised casinos in the country.

Two hundred fifty-three MPs voted in support of the study. There were two abstentions and two MPs declined to cast their votes. Opposition MPs apparently chose to leave the chamber.

Move Forward MPs voiced support for an integrated entertainment complex to generate revenue for the state, revenues from which can be used for public benefit, but recommended that further study should be conducted on the long-term impacts, especially addiction to gambling, citing a local adage on its potential damage, which says “ten robberies do not equal one fire and ten fires are not equal to gambling.”

Move Forward MP Yodchai Peungporn suggested that the House committee conduct an additional and more…