Thailand Aims To Boost Visitor Numbers By Reaffirming No-casino Stance And Attracting Chinese Tourists

Published on November 5, 2025

In a important displacement for Thailand’s tourism sector, nan state has started seeing nan return of Chinese visitors pursuing its patient committedness to keeping casinos illegal. The determination comes aft months of declining tourism from China, erstwhile Thailand’s largest root of overseas tourists. Officials are optimistic that this promise will reignite nan travel of visitors from Beijing, arsenic China and Thailand proceed to navigate their analyzable bilateral relationship.

Thailand’s tourism numbers person been nether pressure, pinch nan state forecasting a full of 33.4 cardinal visitors this year—about 6% less than successful 2024. This marks nan first driblet successful overseas arrivals since nan pandemic began. However, nan return of Chinese visitors is seen arsenic a agleam spot connected nan sky for nan nation’s recovery. For nan first half of 2025, only 2.3 cardinal Chinese visitors visited, a marked diminution from nan erstwhile year. This downturn was exacerbated by respective factors, including information concerns stemming from nan kidnapping of a Chinese character successful Myanmar, which tarnished Thailand’s image arsenic a safe recreation destination.

A Shift successful Strategy

The Thai government’s determination to support its stance against casino legalization has been a cardinal portion of efforts to reconstruct tourism from China. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul precocious met pinch Chinese President Xi Jinping during nan Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) acme successful South Korea. During their meeting, Charnvirakul assured Xi that Thailand would not legalize casino resorts, an rumor that has been a important interest for China. In response, Xi has expressed his support for measures that would thief revive Chinese tourism to Thailand.

“This is simply a important measurement for america successful regaining nan spot and assurance of Chinese travelers,” said Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a spokesperson for Thailand’s government. He added that visible, affirmative changes should beryllium evident wrong nan adjacent mates of months, pinch nan Lunar New Year successful February expected to bring a seasonal boost successful arrivals.

The strategical accent connected maintaining a “moral” tourism situation by keeping casinos forbidden is seen arsenic a basal concession to Beijing’s preferences. This improvement is expected to resonate pinch Chinese travelers, who person historically favored destinations that align pinch taste values and nationalist policies.

Impact connected Local Businesses and Regional Tourism

The return of Chinese visitors is important for Thailand’s economy, particularly for businesses heavy reliant connected tourism. For example, section operators successful Phuket and Chiang Mai person been deed difficult by nan diminution successful Chinese arrivals. Sherwine Constantino, a Boracay Island sailboat usability successful nan Philippines, shared a akin sentiment, reflecting nan broader location effect of declining Chinese tourism. His business, which erstwhile saw aggregate bookings a day, now struggles to unafraid conscionable a fistful of bookings.

Thailand’s tourism strategy has besides progressive easing introduction procedures for visitors, a measurement that is expected to bring much Chinese nationals backmost to celebrated destinations for illustration Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. The government’s attack intends to facilitate smoother recreation experiences, thereby boosting assurance among imaginable travelers. This displacement follows nan earlier imposition of stricter visa restrictions successful 2023, erstwhile concerns astir forbidden gambling and scam activities led to a simplification successful Chinese tourer numbers.

A Boost for nan Hospitality Sector

As Thailand prepares for nan highest of tourer season, businesses successful hospitality are eagerly awaiting nan return of Chinese tourists. Hotel bookings, circuit operators, and section attractions that trust connected Chinese visitors are hoping that nan government’s tourism push will thief bring backmost nan much-needed revenue. Many stakeholders wrong nan Thai tourism manufacture are optimistic that easing recreation restrictions and reinforcing nan government’s no-casino stance will lead to a stronger rebound.

“Chinese visitors person ever played a captious domiciled successful our tourism sector,” said a section hotelier successful Phuket. “We are hopeful that pinch nan government’s efforts, we will spot a resurgence of travelers from China successful nan coming months, particularly pinch nan Lunar New Year conscionable astir nan corner.”

Looking Ahead

For Thailand, nan committedness of Chinese tourists’ return could not person travel astatine a amended time. The Southeast Asian federation is looking to retrieve from a challenging period, pinch its tourism manufacture facing nan first diminution successful overseas arrivals since nan pandemic. As nan authorities continues to reassure some Chinese authorities and tourists, nan attraction now shifts to rebuilding Thailand’s estimation arsenic a safe and welcoming destination.

The country’s tourism officials are looking guardant to much unchangeable and prosperous months ahead, pinch expectations for maturation successful nan 2nd half of 2025. As nan Lunar New Year vacation approaches, Thailand’s tourism assemblage is poised to use from nan renewed liking from Chinese travelers, signaling nan opening of a hopeful shape for nan nation’s tourism recovery.

The strategical promise to support gambling forbidden whitethorn beryllium nan cardinal to unlocking this much-needed recovery, ensuring that Thailand remains a apical prime for Chinese visitors successful nan years to come.