GYEONGJU — Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday that his government has no policy to use casinos as a key economic driver, aiming to provide assurance that the current Thai administration will not pursue casino-related policies.
Speaking after a bilateral meeting during the APEC Economic Leaders’ gathering in South Korea on October 31, Government Spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat quoted Anutin as stating that Thailand is confident it can boost its economy through its people’s talents, products, and existing technology. The Prime Minister added that the majority of the Thai public opposes the legalization of gambling.
Therefore, the presentation of all types of gambling laws has been halted, and Chinese tourists are invited to return to visit again, with the government assuring their safety and security.
President Xi reportedly praised Thailand’s stance. While stressing that China does not interfere in the domestic policies of any country, he affirmed that Beijing will use its own internal measures to discourage Chinese tourists from traveling solely for casino gambling, citing the significant negative impact the industry has on people’s way of life.
Context: The Casino Conflict
The Prime Minister’s assurance comes after a heated domestic political conflict. In July, when Anutin and his Bhumjaithai Party withdrew from the coalition led by then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, he publicly attacked her for stubbornly pushing the casino complex policy.
Anutin had claimed the Chinese leadership raised objections three times during a bilateral meeting in February. The former Interior Minister alleged that Thailand’s persistence with the legislation, despite Chinese concerns, had led to a sharp deterioration in relations, causing a reported 90% plunge in Chinese tourist arrivals and “unprecedented damage” to the entire tourism sector.
Paetongtarn’s Rebuttal
Paetongtarn responded to these allegations by accusing Anutin of misrepresenting the situation, arguing that the drop in Chinese tourist numbers was primarily due to safety concerns—an issue she suggested Mr. Anutin should have managed while he was Interior Minister.
“Actually, Mr. Xi Jinping would have various recommendations, and we listen to him. He spoke about casinos out of concern and gave advice,” Ms. Paetongtarn said at the time. “We explained that Thailand’s policy is to create entertainment complexes like Singapore and Macau. It helps generate income for the country and increases employment. Importantly, casinos make up only 10 percent [of the overall complex].”
______
