Thapanee Kiatphaibool, a seasoned professional in the tourism
industry, has been appointed as the new governor of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT).
With extensive experience and expertise, Thapanee will assume her
role on 1 September, taking over from the incumbent governor, Yuthasak
Supasorn. The decision to appoint Thapanee was made by the TAT board,
following a thorough recruitment process that began on 20 February.
The nomination subcommittee, chaired by Arrun Boonchi, the permanent
secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, unanimously recommended
Thapanee for the position. Among the criteria considered during the
selection process were the candidate's ability to administer the
organisation, their knowledge of the tourism industry, and their
marketing skills. Thapanee excelled in all these areas, making her the
ideal candidate for the role.
Expressing her gratitude for the appointment, Thapanee emphasised her
dedication to upholding the tourism promotion policies set by Yuthasak
Supasorn. She aims to ensure a seamless transition and will work closely
with tourism operators to develop and implement innovative strategies.
Thapanee intends to collaborate extensively with the private sector,
seeking their insights and expertise to create effective tourism
promotional plans.
Thapanee's career with the TAT spans over two decades, beginning in
1999 after she graduated from the University of Surrey in the UK with a
master's degree in science. She has held various positions within the
organisation, including deputy governor for tourism products and
business.
Notably, during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic,
Thapanee played a pivotal role in launching the Amazing Thailand Safety
and Health Administration (SHA) certification programme. This initiative
ensured that hotels and services adhered to stringent health and safety
standards, enabling them to register as quarantine facilities.
In her new role, Thapanee expects to keep her focus on collaboration,
innovation, and promoting sustainable tourism practices towards
revitalising the sector and positioning Thailand as a premier
destination for travellers worldwide.