Bangkok: The opposition has called on the government to reconsider its push for the swift passage of the draft bill on entertainment complexes. They have threatened to conduct a thorough study of the bill, warning that if it fails, the Prime Minister must take responsibility by either resigning or dissolving parliament due to an inability to control the government’s votes.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, member of the Prachachon Party and opposition whip, expressed concerns over the government’s draft bill on entertainment complexes, which is set to be debated in parliament. He emphasized that the Prachachon Party opposes the draft bill due to the undue haste in its introduction. Mr. Pakornwut highlighted that the entertainment complex would take 5-6 years to complete, questioning why the government could not take an additional 2-3 months to refine the details. He also pointed out ambiguities regarding whether the focus is on attracting Thais or foreigners and whether the licensing process is sufficiently transparent.

Mr. Pakornwut further discussed the potential political fallout should the draft law be rejected by parliament. He stated that political tradition dictates that the Prime Minister should resign or dissolve parliament if a cabinet-proposed draft law fails to pass, as it indicates a lack of control over government votes.

In response to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s suggestion that any coalition party opposing the bill should withdraw, Mr. Pakornwut called for fairness, noting uncertainty about whether Mr. Thaksin actually made such a statement.

The interpretation of the Entertainment Complex Act as a financial law was also addressed. Mr. Pakornwut mentioned that its classification depends on the 35 committees, who believe it could be a financial law due to the high budget involved.

Regarding potential opposition from coalition parties, Mr. Pakornwut acknowledged hearing of some parties’ dissatisfaction with the bill but remained uncertain about potential negotiations. He admitted the opposition’s numbers were significantly fewer than the government’s.

Mr. Pakornwut also addressed external opposition to the bill, suggesting it could prompt the government to reconsider its approach. He emphasized the importance of listening to societal voices and avoiding rushing the bill through parliament, as this could lead to increased resistance.

In light of anticipated protests, Mr. Pakornwut reiterated the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and urged the government to consider the reasonableness of public demands. He expressed a desire to avoid chaos and encouraged listening to all perspectives.

Mr. Pakornwut responded to Mr. Kittirat Na Ranong’s comments about opposition to the bill protecting illegal gambling dens. He suggested Mr. Kittirat read “Logical Fallacy 101” to assess the logic of his statement.

Finally, Mr. Pakornwut clarified his stance on the issue, emphasizing the need for a thorough impact study, particularly concerning money laundering and economic benefits. He criticized media outlets for selectively presenting his comments and urged ethical reporting.