Thailand to Delay Debate on Casino Bill as Opposition Mounts

Protesters opposed to Thailand's plan to legalize casinos, in Bangkok, on March 11. 

Photographer:  Peerapon Boonyakiat/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
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Thailand will delay a parliamentary debate on a bill seeking to legalize casinos as opposition mounts against the controversial proposal touted by the government as a way to attract investment and bolster tourism.

The parliament will not take up the so-called integrated entertainment business bill on Wednesday as previously announced. The government’s priority is to deal with the crisis stemming from the US decision to slap a 36% tariff on Thai products and the aftermath of the deadly quake which hit Bangkok last month, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Tuesday.