Had the opportunity to listen to Assistant Professor Dr. Ratpong Boonyanuwat, Director of the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University, interviewed on the program "Thai Sports Trend" aired on FM99 Active Radio last Tuesday.
His in-depth perspective on the topic "Thailand and the Ministry of Sports of the Future" is quite interesting.
Previously, Professor Ratpong shared his thoughts through an article sent to me, which I am sharing here in the Thairath Newspaper Column for readers.
This stems from the recent government trend to separate sports from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Most recently, examining the details of the policy statement of the Anutin 2 government, especially on economic matters, it appears likely that the government will separate sports from the current Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
Because in the economic policy statement, point 5 on tourism 5.1, it specifies the following:
“Restructure the management of the country's tourism and culture by enacting legislation to transfer tourism responsibilities to the Ministry of Culture, alongside promoting identity and linguistic diversity as cultural heritage.”
Therefore, it can be concluded that when tourism is merged under the Ministry of Culture, sports must be separated.
However, when separating or reorganizing the bureaucracy by establishing a new ministry, it is still uncertain today under which jurisdiction sports will fall.
Or in the future, sports might become a dedicated Ministry of Sports or be merged with other related sectors.
With the Anutin 2 government fully empowered to manage state affairs, Thai society, especially those in sports circles, may soon see the direction regarding the establishment of a Ministry of Sports.
Regarding the future of separating sports into its own ministry, looking back at public opinion gathered through the KBU SPORT POLL by the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University,
in partnership with the Sports Organization Management Institute (WISDOM) and the B Bangpakong page, on the topic “Thailand and the Ministry of Sports of the Future” between 15 - 17 March 2026,
in that survey, the majority of respondents, 93.72%, agreed with the idea.
Meanwhile, 4.28% disagreed and 2.00% had no opinion.
When asked about the management structure of the future Ministry of Sports, most respondents, 79.88%, favored independent management.
Next, 16.10% preferred merging with related sectors, and 4.02% chose other options.
Finally, regarding the benefits of establishing a Ministry of Sports, the largest group, 28.04%, cited clear unity and direction in management.
Next, 26.20% mentioned enhanced potential for global development, 18.11% noted increased capacity to develop the sports industry and professional sports, 14.30% pointed to sufficient budget for management, 10.92% saw holistic national sports development, and 2.43% cited other benefits.
The survey results reflect that the majority support separating sports into an independently managed ministry, possibly because the current merger of tourism and sports does not meet the changing global context.
Notably, if sports were to be managed independently, respondents foresee benefits such as increased potential for global development and strengthening the sports industry and professional sports, as some countries have successfully done.
However, if the new government recognizes and prioritizes the separation of sports into a distinct ministry, whether independent or merged with related sectors, it is believed that public opinion data will be an important reference for decision-making.
Today or in the future, whether sports will be separated into its own ministry remains unpredictable.
But from the policy statements presented by the media before the government officially addressed parliament,
it is foreseeable that tourism, which has always led and overshadowed sports, will be merged under the Ministry of Culture for sure.
And to provide the government with data for consideration, especially on separating sports into a ministry, the Human Capital Development Innovation Center at Kasem Bundit University will soon collaborate with partners to hold an academic seminar titled “Thailand and the Ministry of Sports of the Future.”
They will invite stakeholders from all sectors to share ideas, including the Minister of Tourism and Sports, sports experts, representatives from the Olympic Committee of Thailand, the Sports Authority of Thailand, sports associations, academics, and media.
After the seminar, key points discussed will be summarized, and to strengthen the data foundation, the team will also include the KBU SPORT POLL results and related dimensions for the government’s consideration.
In conclusion, in the near future, will the “Anutin 2” government under the leadership of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul initiate or manage a “plus” approach by establishing a Ministry of Sports to create agility and positively impact national sports development as other countries have successfully done?
It is believed that soon, the Thai sports community will get the answer. #TrustAnutin
- B Bangpakong -