Key points:
- Thai Prime Minister receives 319 votes in support during no-confidence motion
- Accusations made regarding her father Thaksin’s ongoing influence
- Casino legalisation remains on the Government’s agenda
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence vote from Thailand’s Parliament, following two days of heavy criticism from the opposition. Out of 488 lawmakers present, 319 voted in her favour, while seven abstained.
The motion was led by the People’s Party, which accused her of lacking independence and claimed that her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, continued to direct government policy behind the scenes. There were also concerns raised over her handling of the economy and national matters, with some opposition figures questioning her suitability for the role given her relatively limited political experience.
One of the more divisive topics under her leadership has been the push towards legalising casino resorts as part of larger entertainment complexes. Both she and her father have voiced support for the proposal, viewing it as a possible way to tackle illegal gambling and bring in new tourism and tax revenue.
Earlier this month, she told reporters that the cabinet would not rush the Entertainment Complex Bill. The prime minister said that public and stakeholder input would be carefully reviewed before moving ahead. A government-led consultation recently showed that around 80 percent of respondents supported the idea of legal casino resorts.
The bill is still pending cabinet review, and no clear timeline has been set. Critics argue that without a proper feasibility study and stronger regulatory planning, the risks could outweigh the benefits.
