Bhumjaithai MP Defends Anutin Over Snooker Gambling Stance
MP Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan defends Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul for refusing to remove snooker from the gambling list, citing social risks.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- MP Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan defends Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
- Reiterates Bhumjaithai Party's firm stance against expanding legalized gambling and vices.
- Emphasizes that all forms of gambling drive social issues, crimes, and gray capital.
- Responds to former national snooker player Atthasit Mahithi over rejected gambling bill amendments.
On September 18, 2026, Mr. Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan, a Member of Parliament for Saraburi province and a member of the Bhumjaithai Party, spoke out to defend Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, following sharp criticism from Mr. Atthasit Mahithi, a former national snooker player and former MP candidate for the People's Party.
The controversy erupted after Mr. Atthasit posted a message on his Facebook page expressing frustration that the government refused to endorse a draft amendment to the Gambling Act. The bill had been proposed by Mr. Non Paisarnlimcharoenkit, a People's Party MP for Nonthaburi province, aimed at removing snooker from the official gambling category.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In response, Mr. Watcharapong reiterated that the stance of both the Bhumjaithai Party and Mr. Anutin regarding gambling has remained consistently clear, stating that they do not support the expansion of legalized gambling and strictly adhere to tight regulatory principles.
Contextual Analysis: Debates over gambling regulations, entertainment complexes, and cue sports in Thailand often spark political friction between governing parties and the opposition. Bhumjaithai has traditionally maintained a conservative stance against gambling expansion, aligning with the Ministry of Interior's mandate to combat gray market economies and social vices.
Mr. Watcharapong further emphasized that the Bhumjaithai Party views gambling in all its forms as a core catalyst for social problems, crime rates, and illicit gray capital networks that undermine local communities. He also recalled the party's past opposition against casino projects, which previously became a major political battleground for the Ministry of Interior.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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