"Surasak" revealed that Tomorrowland Thailand is boosting the tourism economy, expecting an annual circulation of 6 billion baht and creating over 4,000 jobs. In its first year, 85% of ticket buyers were foreign attendees. He also disclosed that the agenda to separate the Ministry of Tourism has not yet entered the Cabinet meeting.
7 July 2026 GMT+7 Mr. Surasak Pancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced after the Cabinet meeting that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported progress on preparations for the Tomorrowland Thailand 2026 music festival, scheduled to be held in Chonburi Province from 11-13 December 2026. The event is held under the Cabinet resolution approving Thailand as the host for 5 consecutive years, with an expected average annual economic circulation of about 6 billion baht. For the first year, Tomorrowland Thailand released 50,000 tickets per day, totaling 150,000 tickets over 3 days, which sold out within approximately 10-20 minutes, reflecting strong global tourist demand to attend.
Ticket sales data show about 85% of attendees are foreign tourists, with 15% Thai participants. Foreign tourists are almost evenly split between short-haul and long-haul markets, with long-haul visitors tending to stay longer in Thailand, benefiting tourism spending. Additionally, organizers sold packages for foreign tourists priced above 150,000 baht per package, including event tickets and accommodation in Thailand, excluding travel and other domestic expenses.
Mr. Surasak further stated, the event will create over 4,000 jobs in sound systems, stage setup, engineering, transportation, and services, while distributing income to local businesses and communities. Over 5 years, total revenue is expected to reach no less than 30 billion baht, with potential for higher annual revenue if attendance capacity increases.
Regarding tourist care measures, Mr. Surasak said the Ministry of Tourism, together with Chonburi Province, local police, tourist police, and related agencies, has prepared transport and security plans. Shuttle buses will operate to reduce traffic congestion, alongside a safety command center, screening points, and volunteers to assist tourists throughout the event. Organizers will also implement international-standard security systems.
Regarding the Prime Minister's directive for all ministries to expedite publicizing achievements and set key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate ministers' work, Mr. Surasak said this approach is appropriate since every ministry should have clear goals and indicators to ensure government policy implementation aligns. "Having KPIs is correct because every ministry must deliver tangible results that respond to government policies. Everyone's goal is to jointly develop the country," he said.
, Meanwhile, Mr. Surasak commented on tourism trends in the second half of the year, noting signs of recovery as Middle East conflicts ease, leading to increased arrivals from the Middle East and key markets such as China, India, and Europe. He confirmed Thailand remains a major global tourist destination due to its strengths in nature, culture, and service.
Moreover, the ministry plans to leverage the potential UNESCO World Heritage registration of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat to promote cultural tourism through travel packages and joint marketing with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). It will also expand direct flight routes to secondary tourist cities to distribute income regionally, such as developing Hua Hin and Nakhon Phanom airports, currently under feasibility study, to upgrade to international airports. Success in this would attract tourists from Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Singapore, and other countries to Thailand's secondary cities.
Regarding progress on separating the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Surasak said the matter has not yet been considered by the Public Administration Development Commission (PADC), so it has not been discussed in the Cabinet meeting today, but clarity is expected soon. He believes that separating the ministry would help develop the sports industry, apply sports science, create professional athletes, and lay a clear and effective foundation for youth athletes.