Thailand’s newly elected prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has made it clear that casino development and gambling-driven growth will not happen under his leadership. Speaking to reporters this week, he said Thailand would need to “wait for another prime minister” if legalisation of casinos were ever to be considered as a tool to boost the economy.
Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, took office on September 5 following a parliamentary vote that ended weeks of political uncertainty. He replaced Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was removed by the Constitutional Court for ethics violations. His swearing-in on September 8 marked him as the nation’s 32nd prime minister, but his administration already faces challenges, including a fragile coalition and growing public calls for a fresh election.
Casino Bill Shelved Again
The Entertainment Complex Bill, which envisioned large-scale resorts with casinos, had been championed by Anutin’s predecessors, Srettha Thavisin and Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as a way to strengthen tourism and attract foreign investors. In early July, however, lawmakers withdrew the proposal from the House of Representatives after Paetongtarn’s suspension. With Anutin now in charge, any revival of the measure appears firmly off the table.
Anutin has consistently opposed the bill, claiming it hurts Thailand’s critical relationship with China. He pointed to warnings from Beijing, including President Xi Jinping himself, that casino expansion could encourage crime and trigger restrictive measures on Chinese travel and investment. According to Anutin, “The severe consequence is the absence of about 90% of Chinese visitors, which has caused great damage to tourism-related operators.”
Nation Thailand reported that arrivals from China dropped 34 percent in the first half of 2025, while overall foreign visitors declined by 7 percent. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reduced its forecast for the year from 37 million to 33 million visitors, compared with a record 40 million in 2019. TAT officials, however, emphasised that multiple factors contributed to the decline, including a deadly earthquake in April and wider global economic headwinds.
Political Instability Fuels Investor Concerns
The recent turbulence at the top of government has amplified uncertainty for businesses and investors. Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council, warned that “uncertainties during a political vacuum create a wait-and-see climate for both investment and consumption.” He added that prolonged instability risks slowing economic growth and deterring new investment opportunities.
Tourism specialists share these concerns. Bill Barnett, managing director of Phuket-based consultancy C9Hotelworks, told the Bangkok Post that earlier optimism for the sector has given way to caution. “Three or four months ago, we were optimistic about the end of the year, but now we are not. We are losing momentum. It’s worrisome,” he said.
Anutin’s premiership itself is on unsteady ground. His minority government, supported in parliament by the opposition People’s Party, reportedly agreed to hold fresh elections within four months. A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration found that nearly 60 percent of voters want parliament dissolved as quickly as possible, underscoring widespread impatience with political instability.
Gambling Reforms Beyond Casinos
Although casino plans have been ruled out, debate over gambling in Thailand is not finished. Earlier this year, the Sports Authority of Thailand officially recognised poker as a sport, opening the door for formal tournaments. The Ministry of Interior also revoked a 1958 regulation that banned card games like poker from being included in gambling permits.
These reforms took place when Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, was acting prime minister. Yet Anutin has distanced himself from the developments, saying he opposed the reclassification of poker when he was interior minister. His stance suggests that while poker may gain some legitimacy, broader gambling legalisation is unlikely to move forward during his time in office.
Sources:
Thailand’s new PM Anutin opposes gambling as a means to boost economy, ggrasia.com, September 11, 2025.
