On July 9, 2025, former Thai interior minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping personally urged Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to withdraw a proposed bill that would legalize casinos in Thailand. The warning was reportedly delivered during an official state meeting held earlier this year in Beijing.
Anutin, who attended the meeting as part of the Thai delegation, said that Xi made the request on three separate occasions during the discussions. According to him, the Chinese leader explicitly linked the bill to potential economic consequences, including reduced tourism, trade, and investment from China. These statements, Anutin claimed, were recorded in the official minutes of the meeting.
“President Xi said that if the Thai government proceeded with the casino policy, China would be forced to respond in ways that could affect Chinese arrivals and business activity in Thailand,” said Anutin.
The former minister highlighted a sharp decline in Chinese tourist arrivals, which he stated had dropped by more than 90%, as a sign that Beijing may already be acting on its warnings. He attributed the decline to concerns over Thailand’s intent to legalize gambling, which is illegal in China.
“This drop is impacting a wide range of businesses, from hotels and restaurants to retail and service providers, many of which are now facing significant financial hardship,” Anutin noted.
His comments follow the recent withdrawal of the controversial “Integrated Entertainment Complex” draft bill—commonly known as the “casino bill”—from the Thai parliamentary agenda. The Cabinet cited the need for further public consultation due to the bill’s broad social implications.
However, Anutin criticized the timing of the government’s decision, calling it “too late.” He argued that the move would not be enough to restore investor confidence or repair the damage already inflicted on bilateral relations with China.
He urged the Thai government to reconsider its stance and focus on maintaining strong economic ties with key partners.
“If cancelling the bill helps revive Chinese tourism and investment, then we should do it,” Anutin said.
The meeting in question took place in February 2025, during an official visit by Prime Minister Paetongtarn to Beijing. Other Thai officials were also present at the discussions.
