Thailand’s Anutin Shuts Door on Casinos, Cites Fallout from Past Push

Newly elected Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has firmly dismissed the idea of legalising casinos during his tenure, signaling a sharp break from the pro-gambling stance taken by his predecessors. Speaking on Wednesday, Anutin stated plainly that the country would have to “wait for another prime minister” if it hoped to legalise gambling as a way to “stimulate the economy.”

Anutin, who also leads the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, made his position clear while discussing plans for the Ministry of Interior, which he also currently oversees. His remarks come just days after assuming office on September 5, following the ousting of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose coalition had promoted the controversial Entertainment Complex Bill aimed at boosting tourism through integrated casino resorts.

Casino Bill Withdrawn Amid Chinese Travel Concerns

The Entertainment Complex Bill had been championed by both Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her predecessor Srettha Thavisin—both members of the Pheu Thai Party—as a potential economic engine in the wake of the COVID-19 downturn. The proposal faced backlash domestically and internationally, particularly from China, Thailand’s largest source of international tourists.

According to Anutin, Chinese President Xi Jinping had explicitly warned Paetongtarn during her February trip to Beijing that casinos were linked to increased crime and urged a rethink of the bill. Anutin claimed the Thai government ignored these concerns, pushing ahead with legislation that ultimately led to a 90% drop in Chinese tourist arrivals.

Figures reported by Nation Thailand support this decline, showing a 34% fall in Chinese arrivals during the first half of 2025 and an overall 7% drop in foreign visits. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revised its 2025 forecast down to 33 million visitors—well below the 40 million recorded in 2019—citing additional factors such as April’s earthquake and global economic pressures.

Political Unrest Fuels Economic Uncertainty

Thailand’s ongoing political instability has added to the unease. Anutin’s rise to the premiership followed a brief power vacuum and was made possible through a pact with the opposition People’s Party, which required him to call for general elections within four months.

This places Anutin at the helm of a fragile minority government. A recent survey from the National Institute of Development Administration found that 59.24% of Thai voters want parliament dissolved “as soon as possible.”

Business leaders and economists have warned that such uncertainty is already undermining investor confidence. Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council, told the Bangkok Post: “Uncertainties during a political vacuum create a wait-and-see climate for both investment and consumption.”

Bill Barnett, managing director of hospitality consultancy C9Hotelworks, echoed this sentiment, saying: “We are losing momentum. It’s worrisome.”

Poker’s Future Unclear Despite Regulatory Shifts

While full-scale casino operations are off the table, the debate over gambling hasn’t completely disappeared. In July, Thailand’s Sports Authority officially recognised poker as a sport, followed by the Ministry of Interior’s decision to revoke a 1958 ban on issuing gambling permits for card games.

These reforms occurred while the ministry was temporarily under the leadership of Phumtham Wechayachai, a senior Pheu Thai figure. However, Anutin has voiced opposition to these changes, saying he disagreed with poker’s reclassification during his previous tenure as interior minister.

Source:

“Thailand’s new PM Anutin opposes gambling as a means to boost economy”, ggrasia.com, Sep 11, 2025.