The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) advances marine tourism, reinforcing its role as a regional tourism hub connecting Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia at the Thailand Boat Festival 2026.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) supports the Thailand Boat Festival 2026 held from 15–18 January 2026 at Phuket Boat Lagoon in Phuket. Mr. Nat Krutsut, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, met with partners and visited the event to promote the development of Thailand’s marine tourism as a regional tourism hub. The event also fosters international tourism cooperation under the IMT-GT framework, using this international marine exhibition and activities as a platform to connect government agencies, private sector, and tourism industry operators.
The event aims to expand niche market tourists by offering high-quality international tourism products and services, covering shore excursions, destinations, tourism products and services, and related support services to create valuable travel experiences and meet quality tourists’ needs long-term.
Simultaneously, TAT brought representatives from tourism agencies under the IMT-GT (Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle) cooperation, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Centre for Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (CIMT), to participate. They promoted international marine tourism cooperation and emphasized the potential for seamless cross-border travel within the subregion.
This event serves as a key platform to drive marine tourism cooperation in the subregion. TAT, along with tourism and infrastructure agencies from IMT-GT member countries, connected networks of yacht tourism, marina, charter services, and related providers from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia to exchange ideas and set directions for systematic regional marine tourism development.
On 16 January 2026 from 15:30 to 16:30, a panel discussion titled “Unlocking Thailand’s Potential as a Leading Marine Tourism Destination in Southeast Asia” featured government and association representatives exchanging views on Thailand’s readiness in personnel development, market-ready products and services, and seamless marine tourism connectivity. Participants reflected on Thailand’s preparedness across policies, standards, and marine tourism business development.
Ms. Watchanan Silpawaranwivat, Southern Regional Director of TAT, said Thailand’s Andaman coast is fully prepared to become the marine tourism hub of the region under the IMT-GT framework. Phuket, Krabi, and Satun are key gateways for seamless marine travel—including yachts, cruise ships, and ferries—between Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. TAT focuses on personnel development, elevating products and services, and fostering growth that benefits communities and the environment sustainably.
Ms. Siwaporn Thamwapi, representative from the Department of Tourism, said the department prioritizes raising standards and developing personnel in marine tourism to prepare Thailand for quality tourists worldwide. Cooperation under IMT-GT helps build a strong marine tourism ecosystem and enhances Thailand’s international competitiveness.
Mr. Watthana Choksuwanich, President of the Thai Cruise Tourism Operators Association, said Thailand Boat Festival 2026 reflects solid collaboration between public and private sectors in developing the marine tourism network. Phuket, Krabi, and Satun are ready to serve as centers linking marine travel with Langkawi, Penang, and Sabang, aiming to create world-class yacht experiences under IMT-GT and open seamless new tourism routes linking the three countries.
On 17 January 2026 from 15:30 to 16:30, a discussion titled “IMT-GT as a Dreamed Destination for Quality Yacht Experience” featured representatives from tourism and infrastructure agencies of IMT-GT members sharing visions, strengths, and opportunities for marine tourism development under IMT-GT. They emphasized Thailand’s role as the regional marine tourism hub alongside Indonesia and Malaysia. Participants included Mr. Amri Bukhairi Bakhtiar, Director of CIMT; Mr. Saut F. Siagian, SVP Marketing & Business Development of PT. Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo); and Mr. Mohd Ashrul Ashraf MohdNoor, Deputy Director of Package Development Division, Tourism Malaysia. They exchanged views to promote sustained, concrete cooperation. Ms. Rungthip Bukkhundot, Director of the Secretariat and International Relations Division at TAT, conveyed directions for international cooperation and Thailand’s role in advancing marine tourism under IMT-GT.
Additionally, Thai and IMT-GT member representatives discussed continuous and concrete marine tourism promotion strategies, such as creating a guidebook for linked tourism products and services across the three countries, developing online promotional media, participating in marine tourism sales promotion events, and organizing marketing activities under the Sail IMT-GT brand. These efforts aim to drive ongoing tourism cooperation within the IMT-GT framework.
TAT is confident that using the Thailand Boat Festival 2026 as a platform to promote international cooperation will reinforce Thailand’s role as the regional marine tourism hub and support sustainable, competitive growth of IMT-GT subregional tourism on the international stage.