Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill is one of several major policies facing further uncertainty after the second-largest party in the government pulled out of the coalition on Wednesday.
The Bhumjaithai Party, which has already clashed with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s dominant Pheu Thai Party over efforts to legalize casino gaming, as well as over land ownership and cannabis regulation, announced it would withdraw from the coalition following the leak of an audio recording of a phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
In the call, Paetongtarn is said to have criticized the Thai army for its role in a clash with Cambodian troops on 28 May that triggered an ongoing border dispute between the two nations. The dispute has since led to the implementation of trade barriers and reduced opening hours at key border gates, while Thailand earlier this week placed a ban on its citizens entering Cambodia to work in casinos in Poipet.
In announcing its withdrawal from the coalition, Bhumjaithai – which holds 69 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives – said the Prime Minister’s comments to Hun Sen had impacted Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and the Thai military.
As such, the party will leave the government, and eight ministers from Bhumjaithai will resign from their positions.
“[Eight] ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party have submitted their resignation letters to the Prime Minister, effective from June 19, 2025,” the statement said.
“Bhumjaithai will work with all Thai people to support the army and officials who safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests of Thailand in all ways.”
In a report, Bloomberg warned that the loss of Bhumjaithai would leave the coalition with only a slim majority. However, The Bangkok Post offered a different view, stating that “the coalition led by the 142-MP Pheu Thai Party still has a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives,” with 261 seats compared to the 234 held by the opposition, led by the People’s Party.
Nevertheless, the weaker majority is seen as complicating the passage of key policies, including the Entertainment Complex Bill, which is scheduled for debate in the House in early July.
The bill is currently being reviewed by a Senate committee.
Paetongtarn has defended her comments about the army, insisting they were deliberately “sympathetic” as part of a strategy to help ease ongoing border tensions with Cambodia.
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