Thai tourism fears Chinese decline over casino legalisation
Tourism operators have expressed concerns that the Chinese tourism market may experience a significant decline if Thailand proceeds to legalise casinos and online gambling. This issue was highlighted during a censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The opposition People’s Party argued that the legalisation of casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises.
They suggested that this policy could jeopardise Thailand’s tourism sector if China discourages its citizens from visiting due to the legalisation of gambling.
MP Parit Wacharasindhu remarked that the government is actively pursuing this project despite Beijing’s ongoing efforts to reduce the number of Chinese tourists travelling abroad for gambling.
Parit noted that destinations with legal casinos, such as Singapore, the Philippines, and Macau, have already felt the impact.
During the prime minister’s official visit to China last month, President Xi asked about the casino policy several times, raising concerns about potential risks. The Chinese government might alter its policies, making it more challenging for Chinese citizens to travel to Thailand.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, stated that discussions with Chinese officials have often revealed their unease regarding the legalisation of cannabis and the proposed entertainment complex bill, which includes casino legalisation.
He suggested that the Chinese government may restrict travel to Thailand if casinos are legalised, as they associate such businesses with money laundering activities.
In December last year, President Xi visited Macau and urged the region to diversify its economy, improve policy support, and attract investment for new industries. Macau’s economy, heavily reliant on casino revenue, has been affected by the Chinese government’s crackdown on money laundering, which included policies to limit Chinese visits for gambling.
The proportion of Chinese visitors to Macau declined from 91.4% in 2021 to 89.6% in 2022 and further to 67.5% in 2023 before increasing to 70% last year. Meanwhile, the Philippines recorded 312,222 Chinese tourists in 2024, representing 5.25% of total arrivals.
Sisdivachr highlighted that while the entertainment complex might generate substantial revenue for Thailand, Beijing has raised concerns about weak law enforcement and potential corruption, which are significant issues for the nation, reported Bangkok Post.
He noted that legal casinos are common in countries aiming to boost tourism, but he believes that Thailand’s tourism industry can thrive without adopting such a business model. He concluded that the policy presents more risks than opportunities for the sector.
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