\n Posted on: November 2, 2025, 07:47h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: November 2, 2025, 07:47h.\n <\/p>\n
![\"Avatar](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-4-1-50x50.png\")
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- Thai PM Anutin has disavowed the country\u2019s push to legalize casinos<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Anutin told Chinese President Xi that Thailand won\u2019t authorize gambling resorts<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It was only several months ago that Thailand was poised to join China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea in being home to casino resorts. But following a scandal in the Phitsanulok Mansion and a new government, the odds of Thailand joining those Asian nations in being a gaming country have severely lengthened.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Thailand](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/W020251101006206928998-858x572.jpg\")
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC Economic Leaders\u2019 Meeting on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in South Korea. Anutin has pledged to terminate efforts to legalize casinos in Thailand, something Xi welcomed. (Image: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People\u2019s Republic of China)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul, unlike his ousted predecessor, is no fan of casino gambling. He\u2019s vowed a \u201cno casino policy,\u201d and doubled down on that position this weekend at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders\u2019 Meeting in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nDuring his sideline bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Anutin pledged his anti-gambling stance to the People\u2019s Republic leader, whose country is the world\u2019s second-largest economy. China permits casinos in Macau, one of the two Special Administrative Regions in the PRC.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Thailand and China have enjoyed a historically strong relationship, both economically and on global initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n
No Casino Pledge Vital<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
China is Thailand\u2019s largest trading partner, while Thailand is among China\u2019s largest sources of tourists. Home to about 72 million people, China is a marquee vacation destination for Thai people, with Macau among the most favored destinations. Flights from Bangkok to the casino capital of Asia are less than three hours.<\/span><\/p>\n
Former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra\u2019s push to legalize casinos faced pushback from China on worries that it would dampen visitation to Macau and mainland resort towns. Shinawatra said casinos would jumpstart the Thai economy and bring new visitors to the country.<\/span><\/p>\n
Following her removal from office after she criticized the Thai military during a leaked phone call with Hun Sen, Cambodia\u2019s Senate president and former prime minister, Anutin was elected<\/a> by the National Assembly\u2019s House of Representatives and immediately folded on the casino plan.<\/span><\/p>\n
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We have other options to improve the economy of Thailand, relying on the capabilities of the Thai people, Thai products, and Thai technology,\u201d Anutin stated after meeting with Xi, as reported by The Nation<\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Anutin told reporters that Xi \u201cpraised\u201d his anti-casino commitment. Xi reportedly told the new PM that while China would not have interfered with Thailand\u2019s decision to authorize casinos, he would have taken internal measures to crack down on Chinese people traveling abroad purely for casino tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n
With the casino matter seemingly behind them, Anutin and Xi said their meeting, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of Thailand-China diplomatic relations, established a joint vision for a \u201csafe and prosperous future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
Gaming Legislation Halted<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Anutin, of the Bhumjaithai Party, which disavowed Shinawatra and prompted her eventual removal, is now the controlling government party in the National Assembly. Shinawatra\u2019s Pheu Thai has been relegated to the opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n
Anutin says the gaming bills the Pheu Thai were pushing, which sought to allow as many as five casino resorts, with two in Bangkok and one each in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, have been shelved.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- Anutin told Chinese President Xi that Thailand won\u2019t authorize gambling resorts<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n