Pheu Thai Shifts Focus from Casinos to Wellness Initiatives

Yodchanan Wongsawat, the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidate, has confirmed that the party has decided to abandon its proposed casino and entertainment complex policy.

In an interview with Nikkei Asia of Japan, which was later circulated by the party to the Thai media, Mr Yodchanan said the designated areas originally earmarked for casinos would be repurposed as hubs for health and medical tourism aimed at attracting foreign visitors.

He said the party favours flexible development strategies, noting that projects can be adjusted if they fail to meet expectations.

Speaking about the upcoming Feb 8 general election, Mr Yodchanan said Pheu Thai is targeting at least 200 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives to ensure political stability and effective coordination with coalition partners. Regardless of the outcome, he said he remains open to forming a coalition government with parties that share compatible policy agendas.

Mr Yodchanan said Pheu Thai has recalibrated its policies to suit current economic conditions while avoiding additional pressure on the national budget.

A key proposal is the "Thai Without Poverty" policy, which would provide monthly financial support of up to 3,000 baht, or 36,000 baht a year, to vulnerable groups living below the poverty line. Beneficiaries would include people with disabilities and elderly individuals unable to work, with eligibility assessed through defined criteria and the use of artificial intelligence.

The party also plans to deploy AI and digital technologies to boost productivity in agriculture and industry and move Thailand toward high-income status. Proposed measures include AI-assisted weather forecasting, water management for farming, improved industrial efficiency, and integrated water-management projects to prevent flooding and ensure adequate supplies for agriculture and industrial zones.

Mr Yodchanan yesterday led a Pheu Thai delegation, alongside Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, to meet executives and medical staff at Benchakitti Park Hospital in Bangkok's Khlong Toei district, to discuss the party's "50 Districts, 50 Hospitals" policy.

The initiative aims to establish 120-bed secondary hospitals in every Bangkok district, easing pressure on major hospitals and improving access to local healthcare.

The policy will be implemented alongside the party's "30-Baht Universal Healthcare Anywhere with AI" scheme, which aims to modernise healthcare delivery and address inequalities in access to public health services, particularly in major cities.