- Thai PM Anutin has disavowed the nation’s push to legalize casinos
- Anutin instructed Chinese language President Xi that Thailand received’t authorize playing resorts
It was solely a number of months in the past that Thailand was poised to affix China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea in being dwelling to on line casino resorts. However following a scandal within the Phitsanulok Mansion and a brand new authorities, the chances of Thailand becoming a member of these Asian nations in being a gaming nation have severely lengthened.
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) shakes arms with Chinese language President Xi Jinping on the APEC Financial Leaders’ Assembly on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in South Korea. Anutin has pledged to terminate efforts to legalize casinos in Thailand, one thing Xi welcomed. (Picture: Ministry of International Affairs, Individuals’s Republic of China)
Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul, not like his ousted predecessor, is not any fan of on line casino playing. He’s vowed a “no on line casino coverage,” and doubled down on that place this weekend on the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) Financial Leaders’ Assembly in South Korea.
Throughout his sideline bilateral assembly with Chinese language President Xi Jinping, Anutin pledged his anti-gambling stance to the Individuals’s Republic chief, whose nation is the world’s second-largest financial system. China permits casinos in Macau, one of many two Particular Administrative Areas within the PRC.
Thailand and China have loved a traditionally sturdy relationship, each economically and on world initiatives.
No On line casino Pledge Important
China is Thailand’s largest buying and selling associate, whereas Thailand is amongst China’s largest sources of vacationers. Residence to about 72 million individuals, China is a marquee trip vacation spot for Thai individuals, with Macau among the many most favored locations. Flights from Bangkok to the on line casino capital of Asia are lower than three hours.
Former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s push to legalize casinos confronted pushback from China on worries that it could dampen visitation to Macau and mainland resort cities. Shinawatra mentioned casinos would jumpstart the Thai financial system and produce new guests to the nation.
Following her removing from workplace after she criticized the Thai army throughout a leaked telephone name with Hun Sen, Cambodia’s Senate president and former prime minister, Anutin was elected by the Nationwide Meeting’s Home of Representatives and instantly folded on the on line casino plan.
We’ve different choices to enhance the financial system of Thailand, counting on the capabilities of the Thai individuals, Thai merchandise, and Thai know-how,” Anutin said after assembly with Xi, as reported by The Nation.
Anutin instructed reporters that Xi “praised” his anti-casino dedication. Xi reportedly instructed the brand new PM that whereas China wouldn’t have interfered with Thailand’s choice to authorize casinos, he would have taken inside measures to crack down on Chinese language individuals touring overseas purely for on line casino tourism.
With the on line casino matter seemingly behind them, Anutin and Xi mentioned their assembly, which commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations, established a joint imaginative and prescient for a “secure and affluent future.”
Gaming Laws Halted
Anutin, of the Bhumjaithai Get together, which disavowed Shinawatra and prompted her eventual removing, is now the controlling authorities occasion within the Nationwide Meeting. Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai has been relegated to the opposition.
Anutin says the gaming payments the Pheu Thai have been pushing, which sought to permit as many as 5 on line casino resorts, with two in Bangkok and one every in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, have been shelved.
