During the APEC meeting held in South Korea, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and clearly stated that the current Thai government does not support the legalization of casinos and will not advance related legislation during his term. Xi Jinping responded by saying he would encourage Chinese tourists to travel to Thailand and support Sino-Thai cooperation in trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and other fields. This meeting focused on the controversy over Thailand's previously proposed "Entertainment Complex Act," which, although expected to bring significant economic benefits, had raised concerns from China about the increased risk of crime.
Main Content and Positions of Both Parties
Thai Prime Minister Anutin, during the APEC meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, clearly stated that the current Thai government does not support the legalization of casinos and will not advance related legislation during his term. Xi Jinping expressed satisfaction with the Thai stance, promising to support Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand and to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Anutin emphasized that this stance would help enhance the confidence of Chinese tourists in the safety of travel to Thailand.
Background and Controversy of Casino Legislation
The previous Thai government had promoted the "Entertainment Complex Act," estimating it could attract 5-10% more tourists annually, doubling tourism revenue to $7 billion, creating 15,300 jobs, and bringing in $2.9 billion in investment. However, in February of this year, during a meeting with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Xi Jinping had already expressed concerns about the act, warning that casinos might increase crime risks and hinting that if the act passed, it could affect Sino-Thai travel, trade, and investment cooperation.
Current Situation and Outlook of the Thai Tourism Market
In the first half of 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand decreased by 34%, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand has adjusted its annual foreign tourist forecast from 37 million to 33 million. Tanapon, chairman of the Thai Travel Agents Association, stated that China remains an important market for Thailand's tourism economy, with the current focus on maintaining tourist flow. Xi Jinping's support for multi-field cooperation between China and Thailand is a positive signal for the recovery of Thailand's tourism industry.
