Thai Senate Committee Urges Independent Ministry for Tourism Amid Budget Concerns

The Senate's Ad Hoc Committee for the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (chaired by Senator Watcharachat Kalyanamit) has reviewed the draft budget for the upcoming fiscal year, noting a projected 9.111% decrease in the budget for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, to 15.06 billion baht. The committee has set an ambitious tourism revenue target of 3 trillion baht for 2027, significantly higher than actual performance in 2025, amidst global uncertainties. However, concerns were raised that the budget allocated to the tourism sector, a major revenue generator for the country, is disproportionately small compared to its economic contribution. Senator Jamlong Anantasuk, the committee's vice chairman and spokesperson, stated, "Tourism generates approximately 300 billion baht annually, accounting for 10-15% of the total national income. Yet, the proposed budget for 2027 is just over 15 billion baht, which is very little considering the mission to attract tourists and organize national-level events." Regarding the current structure where tourism falls under the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Jamlong argued, "Tourism encompasses many dimensions, including security, economy, trade, sports, and health. It should not be confined solely to cultural matters." He advocated for tourism to have independent ministry status. Many other senators concurred, emphasizing that tourism's global operations necessitate a ministry-level or equivalent entity, free from being exclusively under the Ministry of Culture. They also highlighted the need to accelerate infrastructure development, enhance safety, and promote secondary tourism destinations to distribute income and reduce inequality. In the sports sector, which includes the Department of Physical Education, the National Sports University, and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), budgets have been reduced compared to the previous fiscal year. Senator Jamlong stressed that with these budget cuts, close integration among these bodies is crucial for academic advancement, referee training, and personnel development. He emphasized that sports should be developed into a profession to maximize economic output, alongside the development of community sports facilities to build social immunity and address drug abuse issues. The committee views the challenges of the 2027 budget as an opportunity for all agencies to unleash their potential and demonstrate their management capabilities, aiming to ensure that Thailand's tourism and sports sectors remain competitive on the global stage. Key priorities include systematically developing Thai athletes from youth to international levels, integrating sports science and research, and investing in community sports facilities to promote public health, build social resilience, and utilize sports as a tool to prevent and combat drug abuse among youth. Information Source: INN News