Thailand Asserts ‘No-Casino’ Policy After High-Level Talks with China
Prime Minister Anutin reassures President Xi that Thailand will suspend casino legalisation to restore trust and support tourism ties
Thailand has declared that it will pause any move to legalise casinos following a meeting between Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which the Thai leader reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its existing gambling prohibition.
The discussion, held during high-level bilateral talks, emphasised tourism cooperation, cybersecurity and the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Beijing.
The decision comes as Thailand’s tourism sector grapples with a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals—once among the largest sources of inbound visitors.
According to recent data, Chinese tourist numbers fell by approximately thirty-four percent in the first half of the year to 2.26 million arrivals.
Thai officials believe the reaffirmation of a no-casino stance will help restore confidence among Chinese travellers and reinforce Thailand’s image as a stable, safe destination.
Thailand had earlier moved to approve a draft “Entertainment Complex Bill” in January 2025 to allow casinos within integrated resorts, aiming to boost tourism and capture revenue flowing to neighbouring gambling hubs.
However, the cabinet withdrew the bill in July amid political turbulence and public opposition.
Interior Minister Anutin stated that once the government assured Beijing it would not proceed, the Chinese leader appeared more at ease and signalled support for renewed tourism flows.
Chinese authorities have long warned against outbound gambling tourism, citing risks of fraud and criminal syndicates exploiting casino environments abroad.
Thailand’s decision aligns with those concerns and upped its cooperation with China on tackling cyber-scams and cross-border gambling networks, already a major theme in the bilateral agenda.
By committing to the no-casino policy, Thailand seeks to safeguard its key tourism link with China while consolidating the domestic rule of law around gambling and social stability.
The measure is hailed by government planners as a signal of reliability to both tourists and investors and a reinforcement of Thailand’s broader strategy for tourism recovery and economic diversification.
The discussion, held during high-level bilateral talks, emphasised tourism cooperation, cybersecurity and the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangkok and Beijing.
The decision comes as Thailand’s tourism sector grapples with a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals—once among the largest sources of inbound visitors.
According to recent data, Chinese tourist numbers fell by approximately thirty-four percent in the first half of the year to 2.26 million arrivals.
Thai officials believe the reaffirmation of a no-casino stance will help restore confidence among Chinese travellers and reinforce Thailand’s image as a stable, safe destination.
Thailand had earlier moved to approve a draft “Entertainment Complex Bill” in January 2025 to allow casinos within integrated resorts, aiming to boost tourism and capture revenue flowing to neighbouring gambling hubs.
However, the cabinet withdrew the bill in July amid political turbulence and public opposition.
Interior Minister Anutin stated that once the government assured Beijing it would not proceed, the Chinese leader appeared more at ease and signalled support for renewed tourism flows.
Chinese authorities have long warned against outbound gambling tourism, citing risks of fraud and criminal syndicates exploiting casino environments abroad.
Thailand’s decision aligns with those concerns and upped its cooperation with China on tackling cyber-scams and cross-border gambling networks, already a major theme in the bilateral agenda.
By committing to the no-casino policy, Thailand seeks to safeguard its key tourism link with China while consolidating the domestic rule of law around gambling and social stability.
The measure is hailed by government planners as a signal of reliability to both tourists and investors and a reinforcement of Thailand’s broader strategy for tourism recovery and economic diversification.
