Thailand’s Parliament has elected Anutin Charnvirakul—the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and a vocal opponent of casino expansion—as the nation's 32nd Prime Minister. He secured 311 votes, well above the 247 required for a majority. His election represents a sharp political shift away from the Shinawatra family’s long-standing influence, following the removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court over ethical breaches.
At the start of the 2025 racing season on Sunday, Chief Executive John Lee reaffirmed his support for promoting horse racing as a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s tourism offering. Speaking at Sha Tin Racecourse, Lee encouraged the Hong Kong Tourism Board and travel industry to craft high-quality tour packages that include racing experiences, combining heritage, sport, and entertainment for both domestic and international visitors.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has announced plans to revitalize Chinese visitor numbers by easing visa restrictions—a key move in its broader tourism recovery strategy. DOT officials highlighted the successful outcomes seen in neighboring ASEAN countries, which boosted tourism by waiving or easing visa rules for Chinese travelers. Today, the DOT is actively coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and its global posts to simplify visa procedures, particularly for free independent travelers (FITs) and group applications.
Macau's gaming industry is off to a flying start this month, with Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reaching US$554 million in the first seven days of September. This impressive figure, highlighted in recent JPMorgan analysis, points toward a solid trajectory—Macau is on track for year-on-year double-digit GGR growth during the month.
Amid growing public concern over the rise of online gambling, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairman Alejandro Tengco strongly reaffirmed that the solution lies in enhanced regulation—not a sweeping ban. In a recent interview, he emphasized that the licensed online gaming industry contributes significantly to government revenues—approximately PHP100 billion (US$1.77 billion) annually, including about PHP50 billion in licence fees alone during 2024. With employment for around 32,000 individuals supported directly by the sector, Tengco warned against knee-jerk legislative bans that could erase these economic gains and displace workers.
Author: Janice Chew • Monday, 08/09/2025
