Urgent issues at hand

As a wave of crises — a devastating earthquake, a deadly building collapse and the looming shockwave of 36% import tariffs imposed by the United States — hits Thailand, it is both startling and deeply disconcerting to see the ruling party channelling its energy into a fast-tracking its casino legislation.

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Under the guise of “entertainment complexes”, this bill places the legalisation of gambling at its centre, at a time when the country’s priorities should lie elsewhere.

What raises even more eyebrows is the speed and intensity that Pheu Thai MPs devote to push this legislation through. Pheu Thai lawmakers leap-frogged the bill ahead of the 15 other draft laws waiting for deliberation. This is patently waste in which the bill was tabled so it can be debated by the House this Wednesday is not only unusual but also highly suspicious.

Despite the severity of current national and global problems, the government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is treating this bill as a top national priority.