The government is advancing efforts to establish Thailand as the tourism hub of the Mekong River region by proposing the creation of the GMSTO office in Thailand to connect cooperation among six countries and expand opportunities for tourism and investment in the area.
On 20 October 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Lalida Pertvivatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is pushing to promote Thailand's role as a center for tourism cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has proposed to the Cabinet the approval of the draft agreement to establish the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Office (GMSTO) as an intergovernmental organization with a permanent office located in Thailand. This office will connect tourism cooperation among six countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and China, while promoting tourism, investment, and economic growth in the region.
Ms. Lalida stated that GMSTO will act as a central mechanism for planning, coordinating, and driving joint tourism strategies. This includes developing tourist attractions and products, promoting investment, facilitating cross-border travel, and coordinating cooperation among government agencies, the private sector, and international partners to increase economic opportunities and enhance the tourism competitiveness of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The office was originally established in 2005 as the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), based in Thailand but without legal status in the country. The new agreement aims to upgrade it to a permanent office with international legal entity status, enabling systematic management and operation of cooperation. The office will be located at the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The draft agreement has already been approved by member countries, with Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and China having signed it. Thailand is currently completing internal domestic procedures. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has proposed that the Cabinet approve the draft agreement and authorize the Minister of Tourism and Sports or a designated representative to sign it, enabling progress reporting at the Greater Mekong Subregion ministerial meeting in November 2026.
Ms. Lalida added that the draft agreement requires member countries to contribute an annual fee of 20,000 US dollars each. Thailand will use its already allocated budget. The agreement also sets out the management structure and accounting audit system to ensure transparent and accountable operations. Once all six countries have signed, a Host Country Agreement will be drafted to define rights, benefits, and operations under Thai law, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for further approval.
“Promoting Thailand as the location for the Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Office will elevate Thailand’s role as a center for tourism cooperation, connect international travel routes, create more opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, and support investment in the tourism sector. The government aims to use regional cooperation as a mechanism to generate income and sustainably enhance the country’s competitiveness,” Ms. Lalida said.