Tourism in Thailand saw a boost following its feature in HBO’s “The White Lotus,” but visitor numbers have since declined. Experts remain split on whether legalizing casinos could help revive the sector or do more harm than good.
Both supporters and critics of legalizing casinos in Thailand are pointing to the country's recent tourism slump to back their arguments.
Thailand experienced a surge in international interest after being featured in Season 3 of HBO’s anthology series The White Lotus, which highlighted the urban appeal of Bangkok, the scenic beauty of Phuket, and the idyllic charm of Koh Samui—three destinations often mentioned as potential sites for future casino resorts.
According to Mirror US, hotels showcased in the series saw travel inquiries spike by up to 300%, and bookings rose 40%. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, expressed optimism, predicting “both immediate and lasting benefits for Thailand” from what became known as the “White Lotus effect.”
However, those expectations ultimately fell short.
Casino resorts: Panacea or problem?
As of this year, nearly one million fewer Chinese tourists have traveled to Thailand compared to 2024, according to the Straits Times. In May alone, international arrivals fell by 14%, dropping to 2.6 million visitors. The sharpest declines came from Thailand’s key source markets—China, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, and India. The Thailand Foreign Office emphasized that these countries are “critical to sustaining overall visitor numbers.”
Casino advocates argue that integrated resorts featuring gaming could help reverse the downturn and strengthen the broader economy. “Thailand’s tourism sector needs a fresh spark,” said Kevin Clayton, Chief Brand Officer of Galaxy Entertainment, during an industry roundtable in Bangkok. He described entertainment complexes with casinos as a “vital growth strategy” to drive new tourism.
However, critics remain cautious. Parit Wacharasindhu, a spokesperson for the People’s Party, warned that legalizing gambling could provoke backlash from China—Thailand’s largest source of foreign visitors. He noted that the Chinese government could respond harshly, possibly even adding Thailand to its tourism blacklist.
Beijing strictly prohibits its citizens from gambling, even in countries where it is legal, and has been vocal about its disapproval of destinations that actively market to Chinese gamblers. During a state visit in February, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly cautioned Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra that casinos could lead to negative consequences such as crime and gambling addiction.
“I told President Xi that we appreciate his perspective and will take his concerns seriously,” Paetongtarn later said. “Thailand and China share a bond like that of siblings.”
Parit’s core message: antagonizing China isn’t worth the gamble.
Downturn tied to kidnapping, earthquake
Clayton argued that China’s campaign against cross-border gambling holds less weight today, especially with the decline of the junket industry. Instead, he attributed Thailand’s current tourism slump to a series of troubling events—beginning with the widely publicized abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing. In January, Wang was tricked into coming to Thailand with a fake job offer, then kidnapped, taken to Myanmar, and forced to work at an online scam operation. He was rescued after four days.
In March, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook the country, causing a high-rise building in Bangkok to collapse. More recently, armed clashes along the Cambodian border drew negative media attention.
According to Clayton, these incidents have led many travelers to “re-evaluate Thailand as a vacation destination.”
“While affordability and accessibility matter to travelers, safety remains the top priority,” he said.
As a result, Clayton noted, “many Chinese tourists are opting for safer, more appealing alternatives such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore”—countries that, notably, already host legal casino resorts.
Parliament to review legislation in July
Next month, Thailand’s Parliament is set to consider draft legislation that would legalize entertainment complexes featuring casinos.
Supporters of the proposal point to major economic benefits. Projections suggest the country could generate up to THB308 trillion ($9.1 billion) in gross gaming revenue annually—placing Thailand behind only Macau and Las Vegas as the world’s largest casino markets.
The government also expects the move could boost international arrivals by 5% to 10%, increase tourism revenue by as much as THB220 billion, and create between 9,000 and 15,000 new jobs.
