The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Abrv: MOTS; , ) is a cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The ministry's primary areas of responsibility are tourism and sports. The ministry is in charge of managing the tourist industry and sports both in schools and other institutions. The ministry organizes and directs Thailand's important sporting events. Its FY2019 budget is 6,413.9 million baht.
, the Minister of Tourism and Sports is Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
History
The ministry was created in 2003 during the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The government wanted a sports ministry, but the senate refused to support it as professional sports were not big enough to warrant a ministry. To overcome the objection, the government added tourism to the ministry's portfolio. Two agencies manage Thai tourism: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is responsible for "bodycount", i.e., attracting visitors. The Department of Tourism in the Sports and Tourism Ministry regulates the industry and manages infrastructure. TAT's success in driving up numbers—more than 35 million visitors arrived in 2017—has overwhelmed the 130 employees responsible for managing the industry.
Departments
Administration
Office of the Minister
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Department of Tourism
Department of Physical Education
Institute of Physical Education
Provincial Administration
Office of Tourism and Sports Province Division
State enterprises
Sports Authority of Thailand
Tourism Authority of Thailand
T Sports 7
T Sports () is a Thai sports television channel operated by the Sports Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, broadcast via satellite and cable television and digital terrestrial television on channel number 7 under an operating license type of public services, sports programs, health and quality of life.