The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) has issued a firm objection to the government’s proposed Integrated Entertainment Business Act, warning it could lead society into severe moral and social degradation.
In a statement issued on April 3, Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, president of the Conference, urged the government to reconsider the draft act, citing numerous potential negative consequences.
“The Catholic Church has a mission to be a moral teacher for humanity,” the statement read, adding that the Church is responsible for “proclaiming moral principles and social order at all times and places through teaching and training for the benefit of a good life in society that is geared towards the development of the whole human being.”
Expressing deep concern, the bishops warned that allowing gambling and casinos could exacerbate social problems, including gambling addiction, financial and debt issues, crime, money laundering, human trafficking, and deception, particularly affecting children and youth.
The statement emphasized the interconnectedness of economic activities and moral behavior, stressing that “economic development must be development that is in accordance with morality in order to aim for overall human development.”
“Therefore, we call on the government to focus on sustainable and balanced economic development in line with the development of the people’s morality and ethics,” the bishops urged.
Quoting from scripture, the bishops’ statement began by referencing 1 Timothy 6:9-10: “Those who want to be rich fall prey to temptation and are snared and fall into many foolish, evil desires, which plunge men into ruin. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some, in their pursuit of money, fall away from the faith and suffer many sorrows.”
The bishops appealed directly to the government to fulfill its duty in “protecting the people by enacting just laws that are in line with the dignity of the human person and are based on sound reason.”
