Money games are very poorly seen in countries with a Buddhist majority: Thailand renounces their project to legalize casinos

The Thailand government resigned on Tuesday to its emblematic project to legalize the casinos, citing “a social context” hindered by the mobilization of the opposition and the political crisis.

Power withdrew the bill that should be examined by Parliament because the text “requires a deeper study that requires a more appropriate understanding and social context,” said spokesman Jirayu Houngsub.

“We accept the fact that this is not the right time,” added the Vice President of Finance, Julapun Amornvivat.

The Pheu Thai ruling party has focused on the legalization of casinos within the “entertainment complexes”, designed to promote tourism, stimulate investments and provide tax revenues.

But his project aroused opposition shields, in a kingdom where money games are prohibited with some exceptions, such as horse races and national lottery. In countries with a Buddhist majority such as Thailand or Myanmar, games are not recommended as a source of personal attachment and illusion, two concepts that directly oppose spiritual development.

Delicate political context

In recent years, casinos located in border countries in Thailand have also been used by criminal networks to bleach money or extend their fraudulent activities, experts said.

After months of controversy, the government ended up renouncing, in a volatile political context that has increased fear of a collapse of the majority.

Last week, the Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtran Shinawatra, accused of breach of ethics. The manager, who risks dismissal, will be fixed at his destination in the coming weeks or months.

Pheu Thai also lost the support of his main ally of the coalition, Bhumjaithai, a conservative training that was against the project to legalize the casinos at the end of June. The face of a dozen deputies would be enough today to put the government in a minority.

Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai actually directs the Government, after reorganization last Thursday caused by the resignation of Bhumjaithai ministers.