Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed that Thailand will not pursue casino legalization during high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He instead emphasized a shared commitment to safety, cybercrime prevention, and deeper economic cooperation ahead of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2025. The meeting underscored Thailand’s intention to strengthen ties with China while maintaining its long-standing stance against casino development. Anutin framed the anniversary as a key milestone to outline a joint vision for what he called a “safe and prosperous future.”
The Prime Minister extended a warm invitation for Chinese tourists to return to Thailand, assuring that the government would prioritize their safety and security – an important message as the tourism sector continues its post-pandemic recovery. He also praised President Xi’s commitment to regional efforts aimed at combating cybercrime, calling it a national priority that requires close cross-border coordination.
For his part, President Xi expressed China’s readiness to expand cooperation with Thailand across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange. The two leaders also discussed future growth opportunities in innovation, science and technology, the digital economy, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture, areas expected to define the next phase of Thailand-China collaboration.
