Surasak, Minister of Tourism and Sports, revealed progress on establishing the Ministry of Sports, expected to be completed by the end of this year. He aims to elevate Thailand's sports system as an industry that generates income and jobs, alongside developing sports science.
At 2:30 p.m. on 6 July 2026, Mr. Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, spoke after a meeting on the development of Thai sports. He disclosed progress on restructuring government administration, with plans to establish the Ministry of Sports as an independent agency, while merging tourism duties with the Ministry of Culture to improve the efficiency of sports and tourism management. The legal process is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next year.
The Minister of Tourism and Sports said that establishing the Ministry of Sports is a key foundation to promote Thai sports growth as an industry capable of generating income and jobs for the public. This will be done alongside developing sports science, systematically training athletes, and promoting youth access to sports nationwide, which will raise Thailand’s potential on the international stage.
Regarding sports governance standards, Surasak revealed that the meeting approved in principle upgrading the anti-doping control agency to a public organization. This will allow it to operate independently and transparently, reducing conflicts of interest between regulatory bodies and event organizers, thus raising Thailand’s anti-doping standards to gain international recognition.
Additionally, the Minister of Tourism and Sports addressed the safety of youth boxers, stating that the ministry and the Sports Authority of Thailand prioritize child protection. They have established measures and protective equipment meeting standards and are consulting with relevant agencies to amend laws to balance promoting boxing with child welfare. They also plan to support boxing camps with equipment and budgets to reduce expenses and sustainably enhance the safety of young athletes.