Thailand’s prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed his anti-gambling stance, telling on Thursday China’s President Xi Jinping that the Thai government will not pursue casinos as an economic driver. His comments were made at a bilateral meeting during the APEC Economic Leaders’ gathering in South Korea last week.
Mr Anutin – also the country’s interior minister – additionally said that the majority of the Thai public opposed the legalisation of gambling in the country, according to several media reports.
Thai government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat quoted Mr Anutin as saying Thailand was confident it can boost its economy through its people’s talents, products, and existing technology.
President Xi reportedly praised Thailand’s stance, stating that Beijing would implement internal measures to discourage its citizens from travelling abroad solely for casino-related tourism.
In October, Thailand’s prime minister effectively reimposed a countrywide ban on poker games, according to local media outlets.
In early September, soon after he took the top job, Mr Anutin had flagged that he disagreed with the idea of stimulating the economy via liberalisation of gambling.
As recently as this summer, Thailand had seemed poised to legalise casino resorts. But a draft bill on the topic was withdrawn from parliament in July.
That was amid political turmoil that had seen the Bhumjaithai Party led by Mr Anutin, exit in June from the-then coalition government led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra. In August, her removal from power over other matters, had been confirmed by the country’s Constitutional Court.
