Thailand’s new PM says no casinos while he’s in office

Summary

Anutin Charnvirakul, who became prime minister on 5 September 2025, has ruled out legalising casinos while he leads the government. He criticised the previously promoted Entertainment Complex Bill — put forward by predecessors Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra — saying it harmed Thailand’s tourism, particularly visits from China. Lawmakers withdrew the bill after political turmoil, and Anutin says the country must “wait for another prime minister” for any change. The political instability is already worrying investors and the hospitality sector, and a general election must be called within four months.

Key Points

Anutin Charnvirakul has publicly stated he will not support casinos during his tenure as prime minister.
He is a long-term opponent of the Entertainment Complex Bill, which aimed to legalise casinos to boost tourism and investment.
Anutin claims the bill discouraged Chinese tourists; China is Thailand’s main inbound market and its government expressed concerns about the bill.
Reported figures show a notable fall in Chinese arrivals (Nation Thailand cited a 34% drop in H1 2025); the Tourism Authority of Thailand has reduced its annual arrivals forecast from 37 million to 33 million.
Political uncertainty is impacting investment and hotel sentiment; industry voices warn the hospitality momentum is waning ahead of a required general election.

Content Summary

Anutin criticised the rushed handling of the Entertainment Complex Bill and said ignoring China’s objections damaged tourism. When Paetongtarn visited Beijing earlier this year, Chinese leaders reportedly warned about crime risks associated with casinos. The bill was pulled from parliamentary business after political upheaval, but Anutin says any move to legalise casinos must wait until a future administration.

The article quotes industry representatives who warn that the political vacuum is dampening investment and consumer confidence. The Tourism Authority points to other factors for the visitor decline — such as the April earthquake and global economic headwinds — but overall forecasts for 2025 have been lowered. With a general election due within four months, uncertainty will likely persist.

Context and Relevance

For the gaming and tourism industries, this is a decisive development: plans for integrated resorts or land-based casinos in Thailand are effectively on hold. The story matters to operators, investors and regional policymakers because Thailand was seen as one of the most promising potential Asian markets for new casino-driven tourism projects. It also highlights how geopolitical ties (notably with China) and domestic political instability can quickly alter commercial prospects.

Why should I read this?

Short version: if you’re tracking casino expansion, tourism investment or Southeast Asian markets, this saves you the hassle — casinos aren’t happening while Anutin’s in charge. Pause any Thailand-facing casino projects, watch the election timeline, and consider the knock-on effects for regional investment and visitor flows.

Source

Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/thailand-new-prime-minister-says-no-casinos/