Thailand’s casino legalization plans have suffered a severe setback following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on August 29th, with casino opponent Anutin Charnvirakul now positioned to take power and potentially kill the controversial casino bill.
Shinawatra, a key advocate for legalizing casinos within entertainment complexes to boost tourism and economic growth, was removed from office by a six-to-three court ruling over ethics violations stemming from a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The decision marks the end of the Shinawatra family’s latest push for pro-business gaming reforms, which had faced strong resistance from conservative factions.
Within hours of the ruling, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul declared he had secured enough parliamentary backing to form a new coalition government, positioning himself as Thailand’s next prime minister. The development represents a dramatic political shift that threatens to halt the casino legislation entirely, as Anutin has consistently opposed gaming legalization throughout his career.
“As Bhumjaithai’s leader and prime ministerial candidate, I have been ready since 2019,” Anutin told reporters at a press conference, stressing his party’s commitment to addressing national challenges and restoring stability. His bid is supported by the People Party, which controls 143 seats in the House of Representatives, the largest bloc in parliament.
The casino bill, which had gained momentum under Paetongtarn’s administration despite cultural and legal prohibitions against gambling, now faces an uncertain future. The Shinawatra family, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had publicly championed the legislation as vital to attracting foreign investment and creating jobs in Thailand’s tourism-driven economy.
Before her removal, the casino bill scheduled for a vote in July was withdrawn by the Cabinet amid Paetongtarn’s suspension and strong public concerns.
Phone call controversy triggers downfall
Paetongtarn’s removal stemmed from a June 15th phone call with Hun Sen, in which she addressed him as “uncle” and appeared to criticize Thai military officials while discussing border tensions. The conversation—released by Hun Sen himself—occurred weeks before a deadly five-day border clash that left dozens dead and displaced more than 260,000 people.
The Constitutional Court ruled that Paetongtarn’s conduct compromised national interests, concluding that her “personal relationship appeared to align with Cambodia” and violated ethical standards expected of the prime minister’s office. While she defended her approach as a negotiating tactic to avoid violence, the court determined her actions had cast public doubt on her loyalty to Thailand.
Coalition realignment under Anutin
The ruling has already fractured the ruling coalition, with Bhumjaithai withdrawing support during the Hun Sen controversy, leaving Pheu Thai with only a slim majority.
Under an agreement with the People Party, Anutin has pledged to dissolve parliament within four months of delivering his policy statement and call fresh elections. This timeline suggests any casino legislation will face significant delays—even if revived—as the country heads toward another electoral cycle.
The setback is the latest blow to the Shinawatra dynasty, which has shaped Thai politics for more than two decades. Paetongtarn becomes the third family member to see her premiership cut short, following her father Thaksin’s ouster in the 2006 coup and her aunt Yingluck’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court in 2014.
