Bhumjaithai, a key coalition party, yesterday reiterated its support for Pheu Thai's idea of legalising casinos, but it also voiced concern over possible monopolies reaping most of the benefits.
Bhumjaithai has never objected to Pheu Thai's entertainment complex idea, but it does not want to see only one or two companies dominating the industry, says Korrawee Prissananantakul, a Bhumjaithai MP for Ang Thong.
He was speaking during a joint meeting between the House of Representatives and the Senate on the government's casino plan.
Mr Korrawee said Bhumjaithai does not wish to see such a complex built in a small city either, because it would not ensure fair income distribution.
More importantly, he said, the government must carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of casino legalisation before pressing ahead with this idea.
The most important question is whether it would be fair for Thais if the government legalised casinos in exchange for concessions worth an estimated 1 billion baht a year, he said.
"Why doesn't the government invest and operate [these casinos] on its own to earn the income and use the revenue to help the poor," he said.
"If the government does that, all Thais would benefit from this policy, not only certain investors."
Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as the de facto Pheu Thai leader, has said previously that the amount needed for the government's entertainment complex project would be at least 100 billion baht.
He also said the government would not have to invest a single baht into the project but could still reap the benefits.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the opposition People's Party, said the government's flagship plans, including those on legalising casinos, the digital wallet handout and the Land Bridge, would likely benefit private investors.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the casino plan has already attracted a great deal of attention from potential investors.
"With clear support from coalition parties, and a [favourable] study by the Ministry of Finance, the project is ready to be proposed to the cabinet for consideration."