Thailand Reaffirms Casino Ban as Anutin Seeks China's Support for Tourism Recovery

A casino pledge amid falling visitor numbers

Thailand expects about 33.4 million foreign visitors in 2025, nearly 6 percent fewer than in 2024, and its government is looking to China to help turn that decline around. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says he reassured President Xi Jinping during meetings in South Korea that his administration will not legalize gambling or casinos. According to Anutin, Beijing welcomed that position and signaled support for travel to Thailand.

Chinese arrivals reached about 2.3 million in the first half of 2025, roughly one third below the same period in 2024. China has historically been Thailand's largest source of tourists, making that shortfall a serious concern for airlines, hotels, shops and the many smaller businesses that depend on visitors.

Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said visible gains could begin within one or two months. The government is also looking toward the Lunar New Year holiday in February 2026, a peak period for Chinese travel abroad. Those are two stages of the hoped for recovery: an early improvement in demand, followed by a seasonal rise in arrivals.

Thai officials see Beijing's response as a breakthrough after a difficult year. Safety fears, economic pressure in China and uncertainty about Thailand's casino policy have all discouraged travel. Tourism accounts for about 12 percent of Thailand's gross domestic product, the value of goods and services produced by its economy, so the stakes extend well beyond holiday bookings.

Anutin's promise connects a domestic political decision with a diplomatic goal. Thailand is keeping casinos illegal while seeking stronger cooperation with China against scams and other crimes that have damaged travelers' confidence.

What Anutin says Xi welcomed

Anutin met Xi on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in South Korea. He said their conversation was friendly and productive, and that he confirmed his government had no policy to pursue casinos or legal gambling.

Anutin, Thailand's prime minister, described the exchange to reporters in Bangkok after returning from the trip:

The talks went well and were full of mutual understanding. President Xi appeared more at ease when he learned that the current Thai government has no policy to legalise casinos.

Xi's position, as relayed by Anutin, combined respect for Thailand's sovereignty with China's ability to advise its citizens about travel. Beijing does not interfere in other countries' domestic policies, Anutin said, but it may advise Chinese travelers to avoid destinations that promote casino gambling.

Thailand's assurance therefore gives Beijing room to encourage visits without conflicting with its stance against gambling. Thai leaders hope that a consistent message from both governments will help travel companies promote the country and reassure families considering a holiday.

Siripong, the government spokesperson, described the expected timing after a Cabinet meeting in Bangkok:

Visible, positive results are expected within one or two months,

Siripong also pointed to Lunar New Year in February as a likely source of seasonal growth. No specific increase in visitor numbers or detailed timetable for Chinese travel support was given. The immediate expectation is an improvement in confidence and bookings, with a larger holiday opportunity following in early 2026.

Why China's gambling rules matter

China has tightened enforcement against gambling connected to overseas operations. Organizing or facilitating gambling across borders is illegal under Chinese law, and authorities have pursued networks that recruit citizens for foreign casinos.

Chinese authorities aim to limit financial losses, prevent criminal exploitation and curb fraud associated with gambling. Public information campaigns and travel guidance have warned against journeys centered on casino activity. Public security agencies have also targeted groups that market casino promotions to Chinese nationals.

Chinese tour operators and travelers make decisions within that environment. A destination associated with casino promotion can attract greater scrutiny for group tours, while individual visitors may hesitate to book. Thailand's continued ban helps travel companies present the country as a destination for family holidays and leisure trips that fits Beijing's priorities.

Thai leaders are also using the promise as a cultural and safety message. Their argument is that a country focused on food, nature, wellness and cultural experiences can welcome Chinese visitors without introducing uncertainty about gambling tourism.

Beijing's ability to influence travel choices makes this more than a debate about casino customers. Advice discouraging travel to a destination could affect hotels, restaurants and attractions whose visitors have no interest in gambling. Thailand hopes its position will reduce that risk while police strengthen their response to scams and crime across borders.

How the casino proposal was set aside

Thailand's previous administration supported a proposal to study large entertainment complexes that could include casinos. Often called integrated resorts, these developments combine hotels, shopping, shows and convention facilities, with gambling as part of the attraction.

Supporters argued that legal resorts could bring investment, jobs and tax revenue to Thailand. They also wanted to capture money that Thai and foreign customers currently spend in neighboring countries where casinos operate.

Religious groups, academics and civil society organizations opposed the proposal over addiction and crime risks. Critics warned about money laundering, loan sharking and household debt. Money laundering means disguising money earned through crime so that it appears to come from legitimate business activity. Regulators elsewhere have faced difficulties enforcing casino rules and managing their social costs.

The bill was set aside in mid 2025 after the backlash. Anutin's government has now shelved the idea and closed the door on legal casinos for the foreseeable future. Its tourism pitch instead concentrates on culture, nature, wellness and food.

China's importance to Thailand's visitor economy added another consideration. Beijing discourages overseas gambling and has pursued casino recruitment aimed at Chinese players. Thai policymakers judged that maintaining a clear ban offered a better tradeoff at a time when restoring mainstream Chinese travel is a priority.

The safety fears behind canceled trips

Chinese actor Wang Xing's kidnapping in Myanmar earlier in 2025 became a major source of anxiety. The case reportedly involved transit links through Thailand and prompted intense discussion on Chinese social media, followed by cancellations during a period that would normally have brought strong bookings.

Reports of trafficking, scam compounds and other crimes across borders in mainland Southeast Asia had already unsettled travelers. Incidents involving Chinese public figures drew particular attention, with short video apps and chat groups spreading concerns quickly.

Thailand's tourism businesses face the practical consequences of those perceptions. Most visits to the country are trouble free, yet a family choosing a holiday destination may be guided by the most alarming story it has recently seen. Safety concerns have weighed more heavily on travel sentiment than the casino debate itself.

Thai police have highlighted arrests connected to online fraud rings, while border agencies have increased checks on suspicious travel arrangements. Tourism officials have pushed for closer coordination with tour operators, better lighting and cameras in busy urban areas, and more multilingual signs.

The Tourist Police hotline and assistance in Chinese are being promoted to make help easier to obtain. Such services matter both when a visitor needs support and before departure, when families are deciding whether they will be able to communicate in an emergency.

Thailand and China have also discussed joint action against cybercrime networks targeting Chinese citizens and the sharing of information about organized groups that exploit tourists. Thai leaders hope visible progress, combined with the casino pledge, will restore confidence faster than discounts or promotional campaigns alone.

Social media can spread reassurance as quickly as concern. The government's approach depends on clear communication and tangible improvements that travelers can share with others. Police work remains central because keeping casinos illegal leaves illicit gambling websites and rogue online operators to be pursued separately by police and telecom regulators.

Why the shortfall reaches beyond hotels

Chinese visitors have long supported a broad part of Thailand's economy. They fill scheduled and charter flights, book hotels and spend at restaurants, shops and attractions from Bangkok to island provinces. Both organized groups and independent travelers use local transport and other services run by smaller businesses.

Thailand's projected 33.4 million foreign arrivals in 2025 would represent the first decline since borders reopened after the pandemic. Officials are wary of a weaker year arriving so soon after the recovery, and they see renewed Chinese demand as central to stabilizing tourism revenue in late 2025.

The first half's 2.3 million Chinese arrivals, roughly one third fewer than a year earlier, explain why China is receiving so much attention. A decline in that market means fewer customers across many businesses, not just fewer passengers on flights from Chinese cities.

Tourism's contribution of about 12 percent of GDP makes even modest changes in arrivals relevant to jobs and incomes in hospitality, retail and transport. A hotel with fewer guests may also buy less from suppliers, while drivers and nearby restaurants lose potential customers.

Economic conditions in China complicate the recovery. A slower economy and a weaker yuan have put travel budgets under pressure. Thailand is therefore trying to combine reassurance with value, dependable service and experiences that encourage visitors to return.

Officials see repeat visits by families and couples as particularly useful. Food, cultural activities and easy travel arrangements can support that market, while the government seeks to stabilize demand without relying on casino spending.

Competing with destinations that have casinos

Macau, Singapore and the Philippines offer different versions of casino tourism. Macau's economy is built around gaming, while Singapore and the Philippines operate integrated resorts that combine entertainment with casinos. Cambodia and Laos also have casinos attracting players from across borders.

Thailand is choosing another approach. Rather than compete directly for gambling revenue, it is reinforcing a tourism identity built around families, nature, culture, wellness and food. Industry voices argue that this can make the country easier to market to Chinese visitors seeking beach and city breaks.

Tour companies can build itineraries with fewer concerns about perceptions of gambling back in China. Hotels and malls can concentrate on live shows, culinary classes and shopping experiences linked to local brands instead of planning casino floors.

The choice has costs. Customers seeking gambling with large stakes may go to Macau or Manila, and some convention groups that combine events with casino entertainment may choose Singapore. Thailand gives up the potential to compete for that spending.

Thai officials argue that the size of the mainstream Chinese market and the frequency of trips by families and couples outweigh those losses. Their preferred route is to encourage repeat visits through safety, predictable service and memorable food and cultural experiences.

Flights, airports and hotels prepare

Thai airlines and airports are preparing for a busier northern winter. Carriers are adding capacity on popular routes between cities and restarting charter services paused during the pandemic. The government is also encouraging airlines and airports to expand capacity and improve arrival processing.

Airport operators are working on faster entry procedures and more language support. Long queues can leave visitors frustrated at the start of a trip and weaken the recommendations they give friends afterward. Provincial airports in tourist areas are coordinating with local authorities to manage crowding on weekends and holidays.

Hotels are adapting to changes in Chinese travel habits. Many visitors now prefer independent journeys or small groups rather than large bus tours. Properties are expanding mobile check in, training more staff who speak Mandarin or Cantonese, and adding payment options such as bank cards and digital wallets familiar to Chinese guests.

Restaurants and attractions are updating translated menus and signs. Retailers are pairing promotions with digital channels Chinese consumers already use, lowering the cost of reaching potential customers before they travel.

Tourism marketing has shifted toward cultural experiences, wellness, beaches and city dining. Campaigns focus on safety, value and convenient trips. Operators describe families and young couples as the most responsive groups, while travel sellers say the settled casino position makes Thailand easier to promote to parents seeking a relaxing holiday.

Businesses still have to deliver those promises. Helpful service, accessible payment systems, clear information and a sense of safety are the everyday details that can turn a first visit into a recommendation or another booking.

The dates shaping the recovery effort

Thailand's tourism strategy brings together events from earlier in 2025 and expectations stretching into early 2026. The casino debate, the damage to confidence and the diplomatic response have developed over several stages.

• Earlier in 2025: Wang Xing's kidnapping in Myanmar, reportedly involving transit links through Thailand, fueled safety fears and cancellations.
• First half of 2025: Thailand received about 2.3 million Chinese tourists, roughly one third fewer than in the same period of 2024.
• Mid 2025: The bill concerning entertainment complexes that could include casinos was set aside after opposition over addiction and crime risks.
• Before November 5, 2025: Anutin told Xi during meetings in South Korea that his government would not legalize gambling or casinos.
• Within one or two months: Siripong expects visible positive results from the diplomatic reassurance.
• February 2026: The Lunar New Year holiday offers a further opportunity for seasonal growth in Chinese arrivals.

Chinese travel typically increases from late autumn through Lunar New Year and into early spring. Bookings from northern China and the Yangtze River Delta often rise as winter arrives. Thailand's beaches and northern cities appeal to travelers seeking warm weather and a short flight.

Officials hope arrivals can accelerate from late December into the February holiday period. Their expected sequence starts with consistent public messages about the casino ban and safety cooperation, followed by airline schedules and charter approvals matching peak demand, and hospitality and retail promotions for families and young couples.

Beijing's support could help release demand from people who have delayed a trip. Thai operators are preparing targeted promotions and new routes, while tourism authorities are working on joint campaigns and partnerships between cities to sustain the recovery into spring, when travel demand is generally less intense than during the holiday peak.

A diplomatic opening with practical tests

Thailand and China mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. Thai officials see that milestone as an opportunity to support more cultural and educational exchanges alongside the tourism effort.

Progress on rail and bridge projects that improve regional connections could also help planning for 2026. For the immediate recovery, however, the government's priorities are the casino pledge, closer safety cooperation and a smoother experience for arriving visitors.

Anutin's reassurance addresses a policy issue that matters to Beijing. The response to scams and crime addresses the fears that have discouraged Chinese families from booking. Airlines, airports, hotels and retailers then have to turn renewed interest into trips that feel safe, comfortable and worth the expense.

Thailand is entering the winter travel period with fewer Chinese visitors than it had a year earlier and a forecast decline in total foreign arrivals. The government expects its diplomatic message to produce early gains within one or two months, while February's Lunar New Year holiday provides the next major seasonal opportunity.

For tourism businesses, the test is concrete: whether more people book flights, arrive, spend and leave ready to recommend Thailand. The government's promise to keep casinos illegal is one part of that effort, alongside police cooperation, reliable service and the food, culture and natural attractions it wants visitors to choose.

Key Points

• Anutin Charnvirakul told Xi Jinping that his government will not legalize gambling or casinos.
• Anutin says Beijing welcomed the position and signaled support for travel to Thailand.
• Siripong Angkasakulkiat expects visible gains within one or two months, with another seasonal opportunity at Lunar New Year in February 2026.
• Chinese arrivals totaled about 2.3 million in the first half of 2025, roughly one third below the same period in 2024.
• Thailand expects about 33.4 million foreign visitors in 2025, nearly 6 percent fewer than in 2024.
• Safety fears intensified after Chinese actor Wang Xing's kidnapping in Myanmar earlier in 2025.
• The casino proposal was set aside in mid 2025 after opposition over addiction and crime risks.
• Thailand and China are pursuing closer cooperation against cybercrime, scams and groups that exploit tourists.
• Tourism accounts for about 12 percent of Thai GDP, making the recovery important for jobs and income.
• Airlines, airports and businesses are preparing more capacity, language assistance, payment options and promotions for Chinese visitors.