PM reaffirms casino bill defence

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has once again defended the entertainment complex-casino bill, saying that facts about the draft law are being distorted to mislead the public into believing it would legalise casinos nationwide.

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She described the move as a "political game" aimed at provoking mass protests against the entertainment complex scheme a core policy her government formally announced in parliament upon taking office.

The prime minister said she still hopes to improve the public's understanding of the bill, which she believes could help reduce resistance to one of the government's key economic stimulus policies.

"The fact is that legal casinos would only be allowed to operate in 10% of each of the entertainment complexes not everywhere in the country, as some have falsely claimed," said the prime minister.

She has now officially instructed government agencies across the country to help improve public understanding of the bill during the two-month-long parliamentary recess, which begins tomorrow.

Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong echoed the prime minister's optimism, saying that better public understanding of the bill could perhaps ease resistance.

"Several groups still don't understand the essence of the draft law," he said, adding that the government may have to wait until public sentiment improves before pushing the bill forward again.