Thailand’s tourism industry has expressed concerns over the potential impact of gambling legalization on the country’s primary market feeder. The sector fears that this shift could negatively affect its relationship with China, one of its major sources of visitors.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents
According to the Bangkok Post, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, mentioned that the association had raised these concerns with Chinese authorities multiple times. The Chinese government has consistently shown unease about the legalization of cannabis and the upcoming entertainment complex bill, which includes casinos.
Sisdivachr noted that if Thailand proceeds with legalizing casinos, China may limit the number of travelers to the country, as Beijing perceives these businesses as potential facilitators of money laundering.
Thailand implemented a visa-free policy for China starting March 1st, 2024, allowing stays of up to 30 days. This policy was extended to 60 days on July 15th, 2024. Prior to this visa exemption, Chinese citizens were required to apply for a visa on arrival or in advance. Authorities have not set an end date for the visa-free policy.
As reported by AGB, China’s President Xi Jinping expressed concerns over Thailand’s plan to legalize casinos in February during a meeting with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
This warning was issued during Paetongtarn’s visit to China, where she met with President Xi to discuss the government’s proposed casino-entertainment complex—a project that could significantly reshape Thailand’s tourism landscape. Paetongtarn mentioned that Xi sought more information about the project during their meeting.
Xi’s input is significant, not only because of China’s longstanding influence on regional tourism, but also due to its strict policies on gambling. The country has consistently cracked down on illegal gambling operations, including cross-border gaming activities. Currently, Macau is the only region in China where casinos are legal, and it remains a critical hub for Chinese gamblers.
Sisdivachr also pointed out that, while the entertainment complex concept could bring significant revenue to Thailand, Beijing is concerned about weak law enforcement and corruption loopholes, which it views as major issues.
He noted that legal casinos are common in countries seeking to boost their tourism sectors, but that Thailand’s tourism industry could still thrive without adopting this model. He emphasized that the policy presents more risks than opportunities for the sector.
Concerns within Parliament
The issue was raised during a censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday, where the opposition People’s Party argued that legalizing casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises. They warned that the policy could harm Thailand’s tourism if China discourages its citizens from visiting due to legalized gambling.
MP Parit Wacharasindhu stated that, while the government continues to push the casino project, it must acknowledge Beijing’s ongoing efforts to limit the number of Chinese tourists seeking gambling opportunities abroad. This has already affected destinations with legal casinos, such as Singapore, the Philippines, and Macau.
Parit added that during the prime minister’s official visit to China last month, President Xi raised the issue of casinos three times. He questioned whether the policy could create risks, as it might prompt China to adjust its policies, making travel to Thailand more difficult.
