Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thailand)

Kingdom of Thailand
Ministry of Tourism and Sports
กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา
Ministry overview
Formed 3 October 2002 (2002-10-03)
Jurisdiction Government of Thailand
Headquarters Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok
Annual budget 6,548 million baht (FY2017)
Minister responsible
  • Weerasak Kowsurat[1], Minister of Tourism and Sports
Website mots.go.th

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Kingdom of Thailand (Thai: กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา; RTGS: Krasuang Kan Thong Thiao Lae Kila; Abrv: MOTS) is a cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The ministry's primary areas of responsibility are tourism and sports. The ministry is in charge of managing the tourist industry and sports both in schools and other institutions. The ministry organises and directs Thailand's important sporting events. Its FY2017 budget is 6,548 million baht.[2]

As of 2018 the Minister of Tourism and Sports is Weerasak Kowsurat. He was appointed to the position on 24 November 2017, replacing Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul who held the post for three years.[1] Weerasak previously served in the same position for three years beginning in 2008.[3]

History

The ministry was created in 2003 during the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra. The government wanted a sports ministry, but the senate refused to support it as professional sports were not big enough to warrant a ministry. To overcome the objection, the government added tourism to the ministry's portfolio. Two agencies manage Thai tourism: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is responsible for "bodycount", i.e., attracting visitors. The Department of Tourism in the Sports and Tourism Ministry regulates the industry and manages infrastructure. TAT's success in driving up numbers—more than 35 million visitors arrived in 2017—has overwhelmed the 130 employees responsible for managing the industry.[3]

Departments

Administration

  • Office of the Minister
  • Office of the Permanent Secretary
  • Department of Tourism
  • Department of Physical Education
  • Institute of Physical Education

Provincial Administration

  • Office of Tourism and Sports Province Division

State enterprises

Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT)

Established in 1985, SAT is responsible to attend all sport association in Thailand.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

Established in 1960, TAT is responsible for the promotion of Thailand tourism. It has 35 regional offices in Thailand and 15 abroad.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hamdi, Raini (28 November 2017). "A familiar face helms Thai tourism but Kobkarn will be missed". TTG Asia. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ↑ THAILAND'S BUDGET IN BRIEF FISCAL YEAR 2017 (PDF). Bureau of the Budget. 2016. p. 81. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 Charuvastra, Teeranai (31 January 2018). "THAILAND'S AMAZING TOURISM AN AMAZING MESS: NEW MINISTER". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "About TAT". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 21 February 2017.
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