\n Posted on: January 20, 2026, 01:22h.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n
\n Last updated on: January 19, 2026, 03:07h.\n <\/p>\n
![\"Avatar](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cropped-4-1-50x50.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n- \n
- The Pheu Thai Party in Thailand is pitching wellness tourism<\/strong><\/li>\n
- The party was previously behind an effort to bring casinos to Thailand<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The 2025 political crisis in Thailand that resulted in Paetongtarn Shinawatra being forcibly removed as prime minister additionally cost her Pheu Thai Party control in the National Assembly. The party is altering its messaging ahead of next month\u2019s general election.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Thailand](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/shutterstock_2505429003-858x572.jpg\")
A tourist is pictured with the Temple of Dawn in the Bangkok Yai District in the background. Thailand\u2019s Pheu Thai Party is ditching its casino plans in favor of wellness tourism. (Image: Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Shinawatra, the fourth member of her family to be prime minister following her father, uncle, and aunt, was ousted from office by the Constitutional Court in August after she was accused of being dishonest and violating ethical standards related to a phone call she had with Cambodia\u2019s Hun Sen. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nDuring the call, which was later leaked, Paetongtarn was heard addressing the former Cambodian prime minister as \u201cuncle\u201d and asking him to ignore \u201cour opponents.\u201d <\/span>Shinawatra blamed the Thai military for worsening the border tensions between the two countries, which have since escalated into further conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
On Feb. 8, the next 500-member House of Representatives will be elected. The House is the only chamber of the National Assembly that is voted on, as the non-partisan 200-person Senate is appointed by professional and social groups.<\/span><\/p>\n
The Pheu Thai lost much of its power through the 2025 scandal. Anutin Charnvirakul, a member of the Bhumjaithai Party, became prime minister<\/a>, and the Bhumjaithai severed its allegiance with the Pheu Thai.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Casino Messaging<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Upon taking office, Paetongtarn said it would be a point of her premiership to usher in casino resorts to Thailand. Seeking to jumpstart the nation\u2019s economy and grow tourism, Paetongtarn suggested approving two Las Vegas-like resorts in Bangkok and one each in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.<\/span><\/p>\n
Though there was widespread public opposition, Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai pushed on with the casino drive until the political unrest. The Pheu Thai, hoping to reestablish its prominence in the National Assembly, is now ditching the casino ambition in favor of so-called \u201cwellness tourism.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Yodchanan Wongsawat, the party\u2019s prime ministerial candidate, told Nikkei Asia <\/i><\/a>that the areas originally slated for casinos might become repurposed hubs for health and medical tourism.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
It\u2019s just a project to gain money from tourists. If one project did not work, we can adjust it,\u201d Yodchanan said.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Yodchanan, a nephew of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and cousin of Paetongtarn, says the party\u2019s goal is to win at least 200 of the 500 seats next month.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Tourism Downfall<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Thailand tourism plunged in 2025, with the 32.97 million foreign visitors representing a 7.2% drop from 2024. The number of Chinese tourists dropped 30% amid Thailand\u2019s ongoing conflict with Cambodia and problems with its widespread scam centers<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThailand\u2019s folding on casinos was welcomed by People\u2019s Republic President Xi Jinping. During his meeting with Anutin in early November, Xi \u201cpraised\u201d the prime minister\u2019s \u201cno casino policy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
- The party was previously behind an effort to bring casinos to Thailand<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n