BANGKOK, Thailand – Protesters from the People’s Network for Thailand Reform, the People’s Assembly for Protecting the Monarchy, and the Army of Dharma gathered at Chamai Maruchet Bridge, near Government House, to voice their opposition against the government’s push for legalizing online gambling and casinos in Thailand, on March 27. The demonstration was led by prominent figures including Phichit Chaimongkol, Jatuporn Prompan, a well-known political activist and member of the People’s Unity Group; and Nitithorn Lamleua (also known as “Attorney Nok Khao”), a renowned attorney.
The protestors were rallying against the government’s proposal to pass the Entertainment Complex Bill, which includes provisions to legalize casinos. Phichit criticized the government for pushing policies that were neither discussed during their election campaign nor promised to the public, especially the introduction of a casino industry in Thailand. He particularly emphasized the claim made by Deputy Finance Minister Chulaphan Amornvivat, who stated that over 70,000 people supported the bill. Phichit countered this claim, revealing that more than 170,000 people had signed petitions opposing the bill, and no government official had addressed this significant opposition.
Jatuporn expressed deep concerns regarding the bill’s impact, particularly its potential negative effects on Thailand’s youth. He warned that legalizing casinos would expose young people to the dangers of gambling addiction, which could lead to financial ruin, crime, and even suicide. In his speech, Jatuporn raised the ethical question of whether those who supported the bill would be able to live with the potential harm caused, including loss of life and property, once the bill passes.
Jatuporn and Phichit emphasized that if the Cabinet approved the bill, they would not just oppose the casinos, but would escalate their protests by calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. According to Jatuporn, if the bill passes through Cabinet approval, the protests will grow in size, targeting not only the legalization of casinos but also calling for political change at the highest level.
Phichit further criticized the government for having no viable alternative means to generate income other than pushing for “gray businesses” like casinos to “launder money” into legitimate sources. He stated that the government’s push for the Entertainment Complex Bill is motivated by the desire for short-term revenue rather than long-term sustainable solutions for the country. He also pointed out the dangerous consequences of relying on foreign investors and large-scale gambling operations to drive national economic growth.
As protests grow, Jatuporn’s group has promised that their resistance to the bill will continue unabated, planning regular demonstrations at Government House to prevent the legislation from moving forward. The group’s central argument revolves around protecting the younger generation from the harms of gambling while also holding the government accountable for pushing policies that they argue have not been thoroughly examined for their impact on Thai society.
