Thailand’s new prime minister, who assumed office on 5 September, has dashed expectations for a legal casino industry during his tenure.
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, stated on Wednesday that the country would “have to wait for another prime minister” if casinos are ever to be legalized.
PM: Tourism-focused bill hindered tourism
Anutin Charnvirakul has long opposed the Entertainment Complex Bill backed by his predecessors, Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, both of the Pheu Thai Party. Each held office for about a year before being removed on ethics charges. On 8 July, just a week after the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn, lawmakers withdrew the bill — her signature initiative — from the parliamentary agenda.
Proponents of the casino legislation argued it would revive post-Covid tourism and attract international investment. Anutin, however, insists the bill had the opposite effect, claiming it discouraged visitors from Thailand’s largest source market: China.
When Paetongtarn met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in February, Xi urged her to reconsider, warning that casinos could heighten crime risks. According to Anutin, Xi threatened to “significantly reduce Chinese travel, trade, and investment with Thailand” if the measure moved forward.
Despite that warning, the Thai government “did not value the Chinese leader’s opinion” and pushed the bill through the House toward parliament. “The severe consequence is the disappearance of about 90% of Chinese visitors, which has caused serious harm to tourism operators,” Anutin said.
Reports from Nation Thailand show Chinese arrivals fell 34% in the first half of 2025, while overall foreign arrivals are down 7% year-to-date. However, Natthriya Thaweevong of the Tourism Authority of Thailand pointed to other contributing factors, including April’s deadly earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand and global economic headwinds. Even so, the TAT has revised its annual forecast for foreign visitors down to 33 million, well below the 40 million peak recorded in 2019.
Instability in government affects all quarters
Thailand’s ongoing political instability is raising concerns among both investors and the general public, according to Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council.
“Periods of political uncertainty create a wait-and-see environment for investment and spending,” Dhanakorn told the Bangkok Post. “If this continues, the economy may slow further, and Thailand could miss opportunities to attract new investment.”
Bill Barnett, managing director of Phuket-based consultancy C9Hotelworks, expressed similar worries about the hospitality industry. “Just three or four months ago, we were optimistic about year-end prospects, but now that confidence has slipped,” he said. “Momentum is fading, and that’s concerning.”
The uncertainty could persist for some time. Within four months, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul must call a general election to form a new government. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration on Sunday found that 59.24% of voters want parliament dissolved “as soon as possible.”
