The Ministry of Culture is consulting with the Ministry of Tourism to prepare a new ministry structure, aiming to merge duties to establish the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. At the same time, they plan to separate the Ministry of Sports. This aims to promote Soft Power.
the Ministries of Culture and Tourism and Sports held joint discussions to prepare for restructuring duties according to government policy, which includes transferring tourism duties into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and restructuring sports duties to support the establishment of the Ministry of Sports. This is intended to suit the current and future national development context.
The meeting was held at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, chaired jointly by Mr. Prasop Riangngern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Ms. Nattriya Taweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Senior officials and representatives from related agencies of both ministries also attended to prepare for implementation under the draft Act on the Improvement of Ministries, Bureaus, and Departments, which the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC) is drafting for cabinet submission.
The meeting exchanged information about structure, duties, personnel, budgets, and performance of both ministries, including affiliated agencies, state enterprises, and public organizations. They discussed transferring tourism duties to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and preparing personnel, budgets, work systems, laws, assets, IT, and related data to ensure continuous, efficient operations during the transition without affecting public services.
Additionally, the meeting approved establishing a joint working group from both ministries to coordinate, integrate data, analyze details, and prepare joint proposals with central agencies. This group will also lead communication efforts to build correct understanding among staff, media, partners, and the public to build confidence and support for the transition.
Mr. Prasop Riangngern, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, said this restructuring is a significant opportunity to elevate public administration by uniting culture and tourism to work cohesively. It aims to use Thailand's cultural capital as a foundation to create value and added economic benefits, develop quality tourism, promote the creative economy, and enhance Thailand's global image. He affirmed that the Ministry of Culture will work closely with all agencies to ensure a smooth transition that benefits the public.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nattriya Taweewong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, stated that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports fully supports government policy implementation. They will integrate data, personnel, systems, and resources to ensure an efficient transfer of tourism duties. The sports restructuring to establish the Ministry of Sports is also a key opportunity to advance Thai sports development in excellence, professional sports, health sports, mass sports, and to strengthen the sports industry and economy.
Both ministries agreed that the restructuring aims to unify administration by linking culture, tourism, and sports to mutually reinforce each other. Utilizing the strengths of these three sectors will strategically develop people, build strong communities, drive the economy, promote the creative economy, and enhance the cultural, tourism, and sports industries. This will increase national competitiveness and elevate Thailand's image, prestige, and role internationally. Cultural diplomacy and Soft Power will be crucial mechanisms to build confidence, popularity, and cooperation with other countries alongside integrated creative economic development.
Both ministries will closely collaborate and integrate with relevant central agencies to ensure the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Sports proceeds smoothly, maintains continuity in public service, causes no disruption, and meets government timelines. This will lay a foundational strategy using culture, tourism, and sports to develop people, society, and economy, while elevating Thailand's international image, prestige, and role to ensure long-term national security, prosperity, and sustainability.
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