Thai Prime Minister Reassures China of No Casino Legalisation to Protect Tourism Ties
Thailand affirms it will not pursue casinos after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to safeguard mainland visitor flows
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has assured Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Bangkok will not proceed with legalising casinos, following renewed engagement between the two nations.
During a meeting held in the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Xi welcomed the commitment, signalling Beijing’s support for Chinese tourists visiting Thailand with confidence.
The pledge comes after Thailand’s earlier proposals to introduce integrated resorts featuring casinos under the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which had raised alarms in Beijing.
China’s strict stance on gambling for its citizens means the Thai government’s formal abandonment of the casino path marks a strategic shift designed to preserve its access to China’s outbound tourism market, which remains central to Thailand’s tourism sector.
Thai officials said that during the summit, Xi emphasised concerns about the social and crime risks associated with legalised casinos, in line with China’s own domestic policy.
Mr Anutin told local media the discussions were “full of mutual understanding” and that the move would help Thailand’s tourism industry by reaffirming its reputation as a safe destination for Chinese visitors.
Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand have been recovering from Covid-19, but remained 34 % lower year-on-year in the first half of 2025, underscoring the importance of restoring bilateral confidence.
Analysts note that Thailand’s decision not to pursue casinos removes a potential barrier that China might have used to discourage travel by its citizens, as seen in other regional markets.
For Thailand, tourism contributes around 12 % of gross domestic product and directly or indirectly employs some 20 % of the workforce.
By aligning with Chinese expectations on gambling policy, Bangkok is signalling its intention to maintain strong bilateral tourism and economic ties with Beijing, while avoiding regulatory approaches that could deter Chinese visitors.
The decision also underscores Thailand’s strategy of balancing domestic development ambitions with regional diplomatic realities.
During a meeting held in the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Xi welcomed the commitment, signalling Beijing’s support for Chinese tourists visiting Thailand with confidence.
The pledge comes after Thailand’s earlier proposals to introduce integrated resorts featuring casinos under the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which had raised alarms in Beijing.
China’s strict stance on gambling for its citizens means the Thai government’s formal abandonment of the casino path marks a strategic shift designed to preserve its access to China’s outbound tourism market, which remains central to Thailand’s tourism sector.
Thai officials said that during the summit, Xi emphasised concerns about the social and crime risks associated with legalised casinos, in line with China’s own domestic policy.
Mr Anutin told local media the discussions were “full of mutual understanding” and that the move would help Thailand’s tourism industry by reaffirming its reputation as a safe destination for Chinese visitors.
Chinese tourist arrivals to Thailand have been recovering from Covid-19, but remained 34 % lower year-on-year in the first half of 2025, underscoring the importance of restoring bilateral confidence.
Analysts note that Thailand’s decision not to pursue casinos removes a potential barrier that China might have used to discourage travel by its citizens, as seen in other regional markets.
For Thailand, tourism contributes around 12 % of gross domestic product and directly or indirectly employs some 20 % of the workforce.
By aligning with Chinese expectations on gambling policy, Bangkok is signalling its intention to maintain strong bilateral tourism and economic ties with Beijing, while avoiding regulatory approaches that could deter Chinese visitors.
The decision also underscores Thailand’s strategy of balancing domestic development ambitions with regional diplomatic realities.
