Bangkok: Lae Dilokwittayarat, a senator and a member of the Senate's Special Committee on the Study of the Opening of Complete Entertainment Complexes, expressed confidence in maintaining neutrality by adhering to academic principles to avoid political accusations. In an interview before the committee's first meeting, Lae refrained from commenting on whether the Entertainment Committee was established for political negotiation purposes.
According to Thai News Agency, Lae highlighted the importance of raising the draft of the Casino-Online Gambling Act for detailed consideration to address concerns and potential loopholes. He stressed that the success of the committee's work depends on its adherence to academic principles and neutrality, which would lead to beneficial outcomes for society. Lae acknowledged the societal observations regarding the committee as a political maneuver, but he chose not to speculate on these claims.
When questioned about the selection of committee members with political biases, Lae emphasized the need for neutrality and clear academic principles to prevent accusations of political motivations. He also addressed concerns about the draft bill on integrated entertainment business, noting the necessity to evaluate both short-term and long-term results, including law enforcement efficacy and the potential for money laundering.
Lae confirmed that the committee would review the Entertainment Complex Bill proposed to parliament, focusing on the comprehensiveness of the draft law and its enforcement mechanisms. He advocated for expanding the study to include online gambling, recognizing it as a significant issue.
Lae expressed uncertainty about the committee completing its study within the 180-day deadline, citing the need to consider existing research and real-world situations. He mentioned previous studies, such as those by the Faculty of Economics, which offer valuable insights and a foundation for the committee's work.
The first committee meeting saw the attendance of 22 out of 34 members, with 6 senators absent due to travel commitments. As the most senior member, Lae served as the temporary chairman for the meeting, where proposals for the committee chairman position included Mr. Wiraphan Suwannammai, Mr. Sorachat Wichya Suwannaprom, and Mr. Charan Phakdeethanakun. However, Mr. Charan declined the position due to teaching commitments.