On March 19, 2026, Anutin Charnvirakul was elected as the 32nd Prime Minister by Thailand’s House of Representatives, after taking the interim position in September 2025,...
Thailand’s new PM opposes casino legalization
Thailand’s new Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has made it clear that casinos will not be legalized during his tenure.
In his first direct comment on the issue since taking the role, Anutin told local media that gambling should not be seen as a way to support the economy.
Charnvirakul said:
“If someone says gambling can stimulate the economy, I’d say wait for another prime minister. Don’t wait for me, as I don’t agree with this approach. While I was interior minister, I also said poker shouldn’t be allowed. But once I left, they went ahead with it. We must bring righteousness and justice back to our nation.”
Anutin stepped into office on September 5 after the removal of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Shinawatra’s coalition had pushed for casino legalization as part of a broader plan to build large entertainment complexes.
The initiative came to an end in July, when the House of Representatives voted by a wide margin to withdraw the Entertainment Complex Bill, a proposal of Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party.
After following intelligence reports about foreigners operating illegal online services, Thai immigration police have detained five Indian nationals suspected of operating an...
