Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Thailand)
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Abrv: MOTS; Thai: กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา, RTGS: Krasuang Kan Thongthiao Lae Kila) 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 organizes and directs Thailand's important sporting events. Its FY2019 budget is 6,413.9 million baht.[1]
กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา | |
Ministry overview | |
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Formed | 3 October 2002 |
Jurisdiction | Government of Thailand |
Headquarters | Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok |
Annual budget | 6,413.9 million baht (FY2019) |
Minister responsible |
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Website | mots |
As of October 2019 the Minister of Tourism and Sports is Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.[2]
History
The ministry was created in 2003 during the administration of Prime Minister 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
Established in 1985, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) regulates all sports associations in Thailand.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Established in 1960, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is responsible for the promotion of Thailand tourism. It has 35 regional offices in Thailand and 15 abroad.[4]
See also
- Tourism in Thailand
- Cabinet of Thailand
- List of Government Ministers of Thailand
- Government of Thailand
References
- THAILAND'S BUDGET IN BRIEF FISCAL YEAR 2019. Bureau of the Budget. 2018. p. 85. Archived from the original on 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
- "Phiphat tops NACC wealth list". Bangkok Post. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- Charuvastra, Teeranai (31 January 2018). "THAILAND'S AMAZING TOURISM AN AMAZING MESS: NEW MINISTER". Khaosod English. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- "About TAT". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 21 February 2017.