Jurin proposes public referendum on casino bill

Democrat Party MP Jurin Laksanawisit on Monday urged the government to hold a public referendum on the controversial plan to legalise casinos, arguing that the 3-billion-baht cost of the referendum would be justified compared to the potential damage to the country.

Jurin, a former Democrat leader, said a referendum would provide a decisive resolution to the ongoing disputes between supporters and opponents of legalising casinos in Thailand.

On 13 January, the Cabinet approved the Entertainment Complex Business Bill, which would permit the construction of entertainment complexes with casinos as the main attraction.

Jurin outlined three main reasons for holding a public referendum:

• Legalising casinos would have far-reaching effects on society, the economy, and politics, making it a highly sensitive issue.
• The public is divided on the matter.
• Political parties that won the 2023 election did not campaign on a platform of casino legalisation.

He added that the government should cancel the project if the referendum results showed a majority of the public opposed it.

Jurin, who is in the minority within the Democrat Party, said his party has not yet reached a consensus on the bill.