Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is facing a shake-up as the government moves to separate tourism and sports administration.
Deputy prime minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said the draft legislation has been completed and a consultation process is underway, allowing changes to be signed off later this year.
Discussions are underway regarding the division of responsibilities, agencies and staffing between the tourism and sports ministries.
Under the proposed structure, tourism-related agencies would include the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta), and the Tourist Police Bureau.
Sports-related responsibilities would be grouped under the Department of Physical Education, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the Thailand National Sports University.
Tourism and sports minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul told the Bangkok Post restructuring would improve administrative efficiency and provide clearer policy direction.
Integrating tourism with culture would also augment the country's ability to leverage its cultural assets – including cuisine, traditions, local lifestyles and heritage – as tourism products and experiences, the minister added.