The Thai government will consider formally withdrawing its controversial Entertainment Complex Bill from the House agenda this week in order to allow a thorough review by the newly appointed cabinet, said Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.
The bill could be resubmitted at a later date.
In comments made during a Press Council of Thailand forum on Friday, Julapan said that although the government still had the numbers to force passage of the bill if it wished, government whips and cabinet representatives have discussed the possibility of delaying the bill to allow for thorough review by the new ministers, as per The Bangkok Post.
He also noted that there are more pressing agenda issues that need to be addressed such as the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia.
Although withdrawing a bill usually requires a resolution by cabinet, this can be done immediately if the House issues no objections.
“The government is confident it has sufficient support to either delay deliberation or withdraw the bill for review,” he said.
The government also noted that full withdrawal may be a better option in the short-term as postponement would do little to ease public and opposition pressure. It had previously been noted by government representatives that delaying the bill was necessary to provide more time to better educate the public and exactly what an entertainment complex is and how they could be of benefit.
The Entertainment Complex Bill was originally scheduled for House discussion this Wednesday 9 July before being moved to the bottom of the agenda following the withdrawal of the Bhumjaithai Party from the coalition.
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