Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on Tuesday the permanent removal of visa requirements between Thailand and China for their respective citizens. The visa-free policy will take effect in March.

Thailand has finally decided on its new Prime Minister, hopefully paving the way for the since-stalled casino legislation to push forward. Srettha Thavisin was confirmed on Tuesday, ending three months of debate, however the new PM still needs to be endorsed by the King.

A study, due to be submitted to the Thai parliament on Thursday, suggests that once integrated resorts (IR) with casinos are established, there is a possibility for a significant increase in average tourist expenditure, potentially by 52 percent to THB65,050 ($1,790) per trip.

Thailand is making a significant stride towards gaming legalization.

Thailand's push towards legalizing casinos took a significant step forward with the completion of a draft bill by a parliamentary committee. The legislation, analyzed by Daniel Cheng, aims at establishing a framework for integrated entertainment complexes featuring casinos, and will be read in the House of Representatives later this month.

Thailand’s House of Representatives has formed a 60-member committee to investigate the possibility of constructing entertainment facilities, including casinos, to address the problem of illegal casinos and strengthen the country’s economy.

In a strategic bid to lure back Chinese tourists and bolster domestic economies, both Thailand and South Korea have announced groundbreaking initiatives. These initiatives involve visa exemptions, tax refunds, and rewards for Chinese travelers.

Thailand’s casino legislation could occur as quickly as next year, notes expert Daniel Cheng, as he examines the shifting framework of political influence. A progressive stance of the government, with a somewhat unified front, is calming investors looking to capitalize off the change, with questions now on exactly where potential integrated resorts should be located.