Call for Referendum on Casinos Reaches Thai Government After Petition

Thailand’s ongoing debate about casino legalization has reached a new phase. A public petition has now placed the issue directly in front of the country’s election authorities, with nearly 54,000 citizens demanding a national vote on the matter.

Good to know

• Petitioners exceeded the legal signature requirement by nearly 4,000 names.
• If verified, the government must formally consider the referendum proposal.
• Casino backers promise regulation and transparency to ease concerns.

The call for a referendum did not happen overnight. It took four months, from January to May, for organizers to gather the 53,900 signatures required to push the issue forward. That effort passed the 50,000-signature threshold laid out in Thailand’s National Referendum Act.

Kornkanok Makboon, a coordinator of the campaign, confirmed the timeline. Thailand’s Election Commission now has 30 days to review and verify the names. If everything checks out, the petition will move to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, which will decide whether to send it to the government.

Despite growing calls for a public vote, Thai authorities have continued to back their plan for developing casino resorts. The government insists any legalization would come with tough regulations and oversight. Transparency, they argue, will be key to gaining public trust and attracting international investment.

Supporters of the casino proposal also point to economic benefits. Some believe these resorts could boost tourism and generate tax revenue for the country. However, critics say that without public support, the effort risks backfiring.

Voices of Concern

Among those critical of the government’s handling of the process is Wasinee Sonsaeb of the Youth Network Against Gambling. She argues that Thailand is rushing into the casino plan without sufficient study or public input. To make her point, she referenced Singapore’s approach.

“Singapore spent a decade conducting thorough research and public consultation before making its decision,” she said.

Others echo the call for a more cautious path. Thanakorn Khomkrit, secretary-general of the Stop Gambling Foundation, believes a referendum would ease political friction.

“A referendum would provide the government with a clear mandate from the people, reducing public resistance and giving investors confidence in the legal framework supporting casino developments,” he stated.

If the petition is verified and the Cabinet gives the green light, the referendum process could be officially triggered. In that case, the Thai public would get a direct say in whether casino resorts become part of the country’s future.

For now, all eyes are on the Election Commission as it works to confirm the signatures and determine the next move in this growing national debate.

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