Thai PM Shinawatra suspended, casino bill stalls again
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her official duties while it reviews a petition seeking her dismissal over alleged constitutional violations.
The case, centred around a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, has intensified political unrest and triggered fresh challenges for the government, particularly regarding its controversial push to legalise casino operations through the proposed Entertainment Complex Bill.
The court said it had accepted a petition filed by 36 senators accusing Paetongtarn of dishonesty and breaching ethical standards after the unauthorised release of the phone conversation. In the leaked June 15 call, the prime minister criticised a Thai army commander and appeared to show deference to Hun Sen—an act seen as undermining Thailand’s sovereignty in the eyes of both the public and the military.
Another no-confidence motion expected?
While Paetongtarn remains a cabinet member following a recent reshuffle, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is expected to lead the government in a caretaker role. The ruling coalition has already lost one key party, leaving it with a fragile parliamentary majority. A no-confidence vote is expected to be tabled again in the coming days.
New troubles for the casino bill
This unexpected turn of events is likely to delay the Entertainment Complex Bill yet again. The legislative proposal seeks to legalise casino gambling in Thailand as part of a broader tourism development strategy. The bill, initially scheduled for parliamentary debate on 3 July 2025, has now been postponed by approximately a month due to the Prime Minister’s suspension and the need for further consultation.
Public reaction to the bill has been sharply divided. While the government argues the legislation would boost tourism and generate significant revenue, critics have flagged issues ranging from regulatory loopholes to social harm.
A major point of contention is a clause restricting casino access to Thai nationals with at least 50 million baht (€1.18 million) in their bank accounts, a condition many say favours the elite and fails to tackle the existing illegal gambling culture.
According to the Pheu Thai Party, it is closely collaborating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to incorporate strong protections into the final draft, drawing inspiration from the regulatory frameworks of Singapore and Macau. Opposition parties and civil society organisations counter that the bill is opaque and could exacerbate inequality.
The government’s problems were exacerbated when a Senate committee that was examining the draft recently suggested that it be withdrawn due to legal inconsistencies and the opening sections’ apparent lack of any mention of casino operations. This omission may raise questions about the bill’s constitutionality. Thailand’s political situation has mainly turned unstable, leaving the casino bill in trouble.
