【Thailand】
Survey on Challenges in the Transportation and Tourism Sector in
the ASEAN-India Region in FY 2022
TAKASHIMA Minoru, Research Fellow, JTTRI-AIRO
SHIGEMATSU Eri, Research Fellow, JTTRI-AIRO

1．Introduction（1）The Current Status of Transportation Infrastructure

In the ASEAN-India region, rapid economic growth has① Roads

led to advancements in transportation infrastructure

Accordingand improved service levels for public transportation.

construction

plan

for

However, there are also issues such as insufficient(motorways)

will

be

connectivity between modes of transportation and a lack

infrastructure funds process. And according to theoftransportation.

Department of Highways (DOH) who has responsibility for

Furthermore, the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic has

motorway development said that currently the easternbrought about new changes to passenger transport andline M7 (Bangkok – Bang Chan) and the 2nd ring road line

freight transport throughout the world.

M9 (Kanchanapisek ring road) are in service. DOH issafetyawarenessinpublictotheMinistry
8ofTransport,intercity

implemented

theexpressways

using

PPP

or

In these circumstances, we conducted a survey on

working on Bang Pa-In – Nakhon Ratchasima expressway

challenges in the overall transportation and tourism(M6), Bang Yai – Kanchanaburi expressway (M81), Bang

sectors in 2022. We particularly focused on 5 countries

Khun Thiang – Ban Phaeo expressway (M82) as a flagshipin the ASEAN-India region, namely Vietnam, Philippines,

project and all of them are PPP tolled highways.

Indonesia, Thailand, and India as a target of the

In additional, to minimize traffic congestion inexperts,

front of toll gates, DOH has introduces automatic toll

scholars, and other knowledgeable individuals in thesecollecting system called “M-Flow” which allow you totarget countries to understand and to categorize thepass through toll gate with speed 120km/h by the systemcauses of the local challenges in the transportation

will authenticate the number plate with AI camera withand tourism sectors, then to consider and arrange

number plate and payment method that you have registeredapproach strategies to address them. As the research inin advance.

research.

We

conducted

interviews

withtourism only started in 2022, we collected backgroundinformation on the tourism field as well.
This report provides an overview of the backgroundand challenges in the transportation and tourism
sectors Thailand, and discusses potential directions
for addressing these challenges.

2. The Current Situation and Challenges in theTransportation Sector
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 1

shuntingFigure：Motorway Improvement Masterplan

locomotives

withinBang

Suestation),introducing distributed power train, electric-diesel
hybrid train (400 cars)

Figure：Battery-powered train concept

Source：SRT2) Bangkok urban railway fare standard
The ratio of Bangkok urban railway fare to the minimum
wage is high comparing to Japan, South Korea, China,
and the United States. Due to the operation andmaintenance business are operated by private companies

Source： Ministry of Energy, Thailandand separated into concession contracts and the② Railway

inability to integrate fare system between different

1) Development of advanced technologies such as

railway operators, the Bangkok government is trying to
reduce the burden on citizens through fare subsidies

electric locomotive
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has set up theand flat rate system.

environmental goals in its 20-year management plan

The Thai Consumers Association of Thailand proposed(2020 – 2040), by the first 5 years will be promotingthat “the maximum fare should be set at 10% of therehabilitation and improving railway infrastructure

daily minimum wage” As well as consideration thethat support SRT’s core business and from 2025 onwards

proposal of reducing fare rate according to thewill be focusing on reducing energy consumption and“Formulation capacity improvement project Bangkok

adapting transportation service which can reduce

metropolitan urban railway new master plan (M-MAP2)”

environmental impacts.

(JICA)

Thai’sgovernment

has

policiestoreduceenvironmental impacts while developing technologies andincreasing local production and for SRT is to promotelocal production of common electric equipment for
railwaysandconsideringdevelopment

of

new

③ Ports and Harbors
1) Development and expansion of Bangkok port and Laem
Chabang port
Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) is under thejurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation ofThailand and is organized as an independent port

technologies such as electric locomotives.
In the action plan, to introduce future new technology

management organization under the Port Authority Act.

diesel

It is also managing domestic river ports – Chiang Saencars),

port, Chiang Khong port and Ranong port – additional tointroducing electric locomotives (20 cars, mainly
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

Bangkok port and Laem Chabang port which are the main
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 2

vehicles,SRT

locomotives

to

has

operates

electric

remodelinglocomotives(4

Bangkok Port to Laem Chabang Port (railway,

logistics ports makes total of 5 ports.
Bangkok port is located close to the city area in
Bangkok that allows efficient land transport from portsea), expressway connection to the vicinityof Bangkok Port

to marketplace. The port can handle around 13% (approx.

Measure4 ： Cultivating environmental momentum and1.4million TEU) of Thailand’s total cargo handlingraising awareness in society … … Planting

volume, but it still remains flat because there iscoastal mangrove forests and monitoring

limited storage capacity due to limited land area andenvironmental

the shallow water prevents large ships from entering

participation of local residents

conservation

with

the

the port. PAT is planned to develop container terminals

Regarding the modal shift project, efforts are(targe: 2.9 million TEU to 3.6 million TEU) andunderway to switch from truck transport to marine andlogistics warehouse in the future.

rail transport between Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang

Laem Chabang port is already reached its capacity

Port. Securing a coastal container terminal within

after 10 years after its opening in 1991 so, Phase II

Bangkok Port has contributed to reducing CO2 emissions(C and D) was put into operation (6.8 million TEU/year),by reducing truck transport to and from Laem Chabang

and Phase III (E and F) which currently underPort and by providing rail transport via Lat Krabang

construction is planned to be able to handle for 7

ICD (Inland Container Depot).

million TEU/year, bringing the total port capacity to

In addition, more than 90% of domestic cargo istransported by truck, and traffic congestion withinapprox. 18 million TEU/year.
2）Decarbonization and green port initiatives
Based on government’s “Mid to long-term lowering

Laem Chabang port has been an issue for a long time.
④Aviation

greenhouse gas emission development strategy (LT-1）Streamlining airport operations

LEDS)”, the Ministry of Transport has formulated theCongestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport has worsened“Plan for greenhouse gas reduction in transport sector

because of the increasing number of passengers due to2021 – 2030” which aims to reduce greenhouse gas

departure and arrival procedures and a shortage of taxis

emission by 20% by 2030. In the environmental sector,

which have become a major issue. Although self-service

PAT is developing measures based on this goal at eachcheck-in devices have been introduced since 2022,

port and has established the “Green port plan” as an

immigration inspections in particular have become a

implementation plan. The 4 main measurements are as

bottleneck, and cooperation with the Immigration Bureau

follows.

is required.

Measure1：Transition to a low-carbon society using a

In light of this situation, Airports Authority of

BCG (Bio, Circular, Green) economic model…

Thailand (AOT) has announced that its management plan

…Introduction of solar power generation,

will strengthen the three areas of service, standards,

collection of marine plastic trash, recycling

and financial. It presents 7 strategies for theconversion to HVs and EVs

direction of management which includes strategic

Measure2：Environmental conservation/Compliance withinternational

environmental

standards … … Complianceenvironmental

withpositioning of international airports, improve service

management

capacity, changing to hub airports for both tourism andISO14045,

cargo, intelligent services using ICT, improve aviation

system,service processes, expand profits by developing non-information

introduction of ship waste management system,
environmental measurement monitoring

aeronautical services, diversify airport businesses.
2）U-Tapao Airport and surrounding development

Measure3：Building a transportation cooperation system

Regarding to developing of U-Tapao Airport and its

to realize a green port……Modal shift fromJapan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Officesurrounding areas, a consortium of companies led by
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 3

Bangkok Airways has signed a contract with the Royaland expressed expectations for Japan's cooperation.

Thai Navy and has plan to develop and operate third（2）Challenges in Each Sector (See Table Below)

passenger terminal and commercial facilities, andground transportation center, aircraft maintenance,
maintenance facilities, and aviation city.
Regarding to Aviation and Logistics, Thailand has thepotential to be developed as a regional aircraft parts
manufacturing

and

MRO

(Maintenance,

Repair,andOverhaul) center with ample land and many industrial
estates nearby U-Tapao International Airport which will
be a construction site of manufacturers that supplies
aircraft parts to MRO has been mentioned as a candidate
site for pilot area. As of February 2021, although there
is no progress has been made in selecting a joint
investment partner, the Thai Navy is proceeding withcivil engineering work for MRO center.
⑤Logistics
In Thailand, disposable income is rising along witheconomic growth, and the population is also increasing
steadily. The consumption of fresh foods and frozen
food that demand temperature control is also increased
resulting in the cold chain becoming a major issue.
Low-cost

temperature

controlcannotprovidesufficient services, resulting in health hazards andfood waste during transportation. The importance oftemperature control in the supply chain is not fully
understood by general consumers, and for shippers, theuse of high-quality cold chain logistics services is
directly linked to increased logistics costs indeed.
At “Policy Dialogue on Logistic between Thailand andJapan” in January 2023, logistics issues in Thailand
are

being

discussed.

The

Ministry

of

Land,

Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has introduced
the significance of standardization of cold chain
logistics services, an overview of related standards,
the results of demonstration transport in Thailand, andother as well as the need for the formulation of cold
chain logistics standards, including transportation andstorage, and collaboration between related ministries
and agencies. The Thai Ministry of Transport statedthatcollaboration

among

relatedministries

andagencies is necessary in order to formulate standards,
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 4

GeneralRoad Sector

Aviation Sector

・ The impact of Coronavirus pandemic on

・ Promote the development of EV charging

・Development of inland transshipment basetransportation sector (different impacts on

stations (jurisdiction is unclear, difficult(inland port)(planning and developing an

passenger transport and cargo transport)

to use in rural areas)inland transport base for shippers to・Infrastructure management and development of・Securing financial resources for intercity

supports the increasing in cargo volume

management

expressways (direct investment by the central

・Imbalance of public work budget between

government without going through the Tollmetropolitan area and local cities

Fund)・Investment in local areas (promotion outside

・

Bangkok and EEC)

expressways and high-speed railways

intentions of the central government such as・（As tourism based country）formation of・Building a hierarchical road network

the EEC)

tourism and local transportation

・ Promotion

dissemination

・ Promotion of development of the Northern

・Data sharing and open data

(improvement of vehicle registration system)

Economic Corridor (development of cross-after expanding the ports)
・Neglect of local areas in the logistics
policy of the National Economic and Social

Competitivenessof

between

M-flow

intercity

Development

Council(NESDC)(biased

・ Improving connectivity with neighboring

border logistics with China and Myanmar)

countries in the northern region (improving

・ Intermodal transportation between roads andconnectivity of logistics and people flow
betweenThailand-Myanmar,

Thailand-Laos-

railways
・ Improvement of logistics linkage in crossborder transportation (reduction of time

China, etc.)

required for customs clearance, etc. atcross-border areas)
・ Improving the efficiency of cross-borderroad transportation by introducing ICT(information

registration

managementofdrivers, vehicles, etc.)
・ Relaxation of cargo regulations in ASEAN
countries

Port and Harbor Sector

Railway Sector

・Improving access to Laem Chabang Port (modal・Introduction of urban railway transfer andLogistics Sector
・Promoting the use of local airports

shift, increasing share of inland waterway

common fare system (involving revision of・ Preparing human resources for airport

transportation)

existing concession contract)

operations (issues with reinstatement of・Management of cargo handling time and port

・TOD promotion through taxation of an area in

employees who left their jobs due to theyardfront of the station

Coronavirus pandemic）

・Reducing congestion by linking port and・ SRT reformation (pursuit of investment

・Competition between aviation and high-speed

connecting road (strengthening coordination

returns, privatization of premium goods)

rail (varies by route)between the central government and local

・Improving the reliability and punctuality of・Demand for U-Tapao Airport, No progress ofgovernments)

rail freight transportation (double-tracking

MRO consideration

・ Creation of a port and nearby manufacturing

nationwide, connecting each base)・Data sharing between airport operationsindustry and industrial estate・Railway line development between Chiang Mai(AOT) and airlines

・ Draft the comprehensive and cross-sectionaland surrounding cities (Den Chai, Chiang Rai,・Public transportation access from local

economic

Chiang Khong)airports to the city (Chiang Mai Airport,

・Supply chain with China including rail

Phuket Airport, etc.)

transportation

・Use of existing airport and development ofdevelopment

infrastructure

that

plan

(adjustcombines

tourism, and environment)theindustry,

Chiang Mai second airport

severe congestion when trucks enter and exit terminals（3）
Main Issues to be Considered Based on Expert Reviews①Improving logistics connectivity at ports

have become a major issue. At Laem Chabang Port, thefollowing measures have been taken to prevent chronic

As supply chains rapidly develop on a global scale,congestion around the port due to the expansion of truck

there is a need to shorten transportation times in thetransportation.

field of maritime transportation as well. Originally,

・Improve yard storage capacity and cargo handlingattention has been focused on the time required forcapacity by developing a semi-automatic terminal (D-cargo handling, but in recent years, delays caused byberth)

Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 5

・Improve gate processing capacity by adding more gatesfor public works projects, resulting in a situation
where most of the budget is allocated to the Bangkok

and developing a container truck waiting area
・Development of road transportation networks such as

metropolitan area, where the population is massive.

securing direct connection routes from port areas to③Cross border logistics

expressways

Thailand shares land borders with four countries:

・Utilization of feeder transport, etc. by developing

Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, and cross-bordercontainer terminals exclusively for domestic feeders

logistics plays a major role in trade with theseand increasing cargo handling equipment at railway

countries. Due to a sharp rise in sea freight rates due

cargo transshipment facilities

to a shortage of containers from the late 2020s and・Level out peak hours and shorten gate processing time

significant

delaysinseatransport,

the

price

by adjusting the entry and exit times of container

difference with land transport has narrowed, making

vehicles using the “Truck Queue System”

cross-border truck transport, with its short lead time,②Improving transportation services in local areas

more attractive as an alternative transport route.

Although 60% of Chiang Mai's service industry is

Particularly in 2021, in addition to the overall

centered on tourism, transportation from the airport torecovery in trade in Thailand, there was also a rapid

the city center and within the city relies on taxis andrecovery in logistics due to the reopening of bordershared transportation, and there is a need to improvecheckpoints, and increased interest in cross-border

the

LRT

transportation from the perspective of diversifying

development, 4 feasibility studies have been carriedtransportation routes. As a result, border trade hasout so far, but the implementation has not yet beengrown significantly.

transportation

infrastructure.

Regarding

1) Cross-border resistanceachieved.
In Phuket, the service industry, centered on tourism,

There are various forms of cross-border resistance,

occupies a large proportion, but taxis and sharedincluding deficiencies in infrastructure such as thetransportation are still the mainstream. On the otherabsence of bridges and insufficient road width,

hand, Phuket is trying to break away from its dependence

resistance due to systems such as complicated customs

on tourism through education, marinas, medical care,

procedures, and customs costs. In addition, these doetc.

not only exist at border crossing points, but also have

Although there should be a public transportationa wide range of effects, such as those that exist alongsystem such as trains and buses of international

the route and those that affect the entire country,

standards to connect the airport to the city, it issuch as mutual access of vehicles.

difficult to develop such a system due to the narrow

2) Cross-border transportation agreement

roads.

Bilateralagreementsoncross-bordertransport

Additionally, one of the reasons for the lack ofsystems have existed between countries in the Greater

progress in public transportation development projects

Mekong Sub-region (GMS) since the beginning, but multi-

is that government infrastructure projects are overly

country agreements that can be used across the GMS

concentrated in Bangkok and the EEC region. The governor

region comprehensively cover issues related to cross-(prefectural

local

border transport of people and logistics. An agreementadministrative body, is appointed by the central

was needed. Based on this common understanding,administrative body, and the mayor is directly electedconsistency with international agreements was ensured

by citizens. As a result, the budget authority given toas the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA). This

the mayor is very small, and the central government

eliminates the need for transshipment of cargo, which

effectively holds the authority to allocate the budget
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

was necessary at some borders, reduces damage to cargo
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 6

ordinance),

the

head

of

the

due to transshipment, and makes it possible to provide

different

from

local

transportation.

For

the

safe, high-quality services and shorten transportation

sustainable development of Thailand's regional cities,

times.

it is necessary to consider tourism and regional

Although there are no major problems with roadtransportation in these cities, including the use of

infrastructure, improving connectivity with neighboringride-hailing and the planning and development of urban

countries is an issue, especially in the north. Problems

railways.

such as improving intermodal transport between road and〇Cross-border logistics in the northern regionrail transport and improving logistics linkage inRegarding cross-border logistics in the northern
region, it is necessary to conduct a detailed analysis

cross-border transport must be resolved.
On the other hand, it takes time to incorporate CBTAof cross-border resistance such as natural conditions,

into each country's domestic laws, and the response

infrastructure development level, traffic regulations,capacity at customs clearance sites (customs clearance

systems related to cross-border procedures, systems

staff'scustoms

related to other countries and bilateral agreements,

clearance operations 24 hours a day, use of ICT inand development of domestic legal systems. It is

customs clearance procedures) Currently, the CBTA has

necessary to consider ways to eliminate bottlenecks.

understanding

of

CBTA

content,

not been fully implemented due to problems with the
CBTA.

3. Basic Information on the Current Situation（4）Challenges in Thailand's transportation sector

and Challenges in the Tourism Sector〇Congestion and stagnation of cargo at ports andlogistics nodes（1）Basic Information on the Tourism Sector

Regarding the current state of congestion andstagnation at ports and inland cargo transportation①Outline
The number of international visitors to Thailand has

facilities, which are the nodes between maritime

increased significantly, approximately doubling fromtransportation and inland transportation, the degree ofaround 19 million in 2011 to about 40 million in 2019.

congestion and traffic congestion must be investigated,

Until 2015, the number overed around the 20 million

and congestion measurement and connectivity evaluation

mark, surpassed 30 million in 2016, and continued tomethods must be studied. It is necessary to solve theseincrease steadily until 2019. As of 2019, the highest

issues.

number of international visitors was from China,〇 Improving transportation access in local cities

followed by Malaysia, India, South Korea, Laos, and(Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.)

Japan. In 2019, the spending by international visitors

Thailand is a tourism-oriented country, and theamounted to approximately 64.4 billion dollars, making

tourism industry accounts for a large proportion of GDP.

it the highest among the five countries surveyed thisIssues related to regional transportation have beentime by a significant margin. Additionally, there is apointed out in Chiang Mai and Phuket. Due to thenotable characteristic where the proportion of leisurecombination of the low service level of existing public

purposes exceeds that of business purposes, accounting

transportation and the low roadside maintenance such as

for over 90% in both visitor numbers and spending.

walking

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the number ofenvironments

andparking

areas,

publictransportation is incompatible with the convenience ofinternational visitors decreased significantly fromprivate cars. From a tourist perspective, access

6.7 million in 2020 to 430,000 in 2021, and the

between the city and hubs such as the airport and train

spending by international visitors also saw astation are inconvenient, and transportation within thesubstantial decrease from 15.3 billion dollars in 2020

city relies on shared taxis (songthaews), which are no
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

to 1 billion dollars in 2021.
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 7

It is expected that the number of international

Figure: organizational chart of government agencies invisitors will continue to growth after 2022, surpassing

the tourism industry of the Kingdom of Thailand.

the 2019 visitor numbers by 2025 and reachingapproximately 51 million by 2027. The number of
employees in the tourism industry showed an increasing
trend from around 7 million in 2014 to about 8.3 million
in 2019. However, in 2019, it decreased to approximately
8.2 million, falling below the previous year's level.
Nevertheless, it still accounts for 21.8% of the total
workforce. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus,
the number of employees in the tourism industry
decreased to approximately 6.7 million in 2020 (17.8%of the total workforce) and approximately 6.9 million
in 2021 (18.1% of the total workforce). The contributionof the tourism industry to the GDP has been on an
increasing trend from 2011 to 2019, with an averageannual growth rate of 3.7%. Since 2017, it has accounted
for 20% of the GDP, indicating the high level ofSource：KLAYSIKAEW KRAIRERK [Research on Tourism Promotion

contribution of the tourism industry to Thailand'sin Thailand - Evaluation of Tourism Policies and Analysis of

economy. Since 2020, due to the spread of the novel

Traveler Behavior and Evaluation（2015 Years）、From MOTs]

coronavirus, the proportion has decreased significantly,

Website JTTRI-AIRO createdwith it reaching 5.8% in 2021, a quarter of what it waspreviously.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) of ThaiLand
government has a vision to serve as a driving force for② Government Organization Structure in the Tourism
Sectorthe sustainable development of the economy and society
through tourism, sports, and recreation. It undertakes

The tourism-related government agencies of the Thaithe following five missions: ①Setting policies andgovernment are composed of multiple organizations

strategic plans for development at all levels in

responsible for promoting and regulating tourism

accordance with government development、②Encouraging

domestically and internationally.

andsupporting

thepromotion,

development,

and

implementation of tourism, sports, and recreation
policies. ③ Effective integration and management,
encourageing participation from all sectors in thedevelopment of the country's tourism, sports, andrecreation. And to establish guidelines for resource
allocation

tosupportall

sectorsfor

ensuring

efficient.④To develop infrastructure and to support
elements related to tourism, sports, and recreation sothat Thailand tourism ensures international quality andstandards.⑤The management systems in the fields of
tourism, sports, and recreation, information systems,
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Officetraining of human resources and securing highly
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 8

culture, sports, and technological heritage. Encourage

competent personnel.
Department of Tourism of Thailand（DOT）within thea diverse range of activities that contribute to tourism

Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) oversees thepromotion. ③ Provide tourists with convenience andlicensing and regulation of tourism-related businesses

maximum safety. ④ Enhance understanding and foster

such as travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, etc.

friendly relations between people and countries throughThe mission of DOT is as follows.①Promote, conserve,

tourism. ⑤ Lead tourism development alongside therestore, and develop the quality of tourist attractions

establishment of infrastructure and facilities forand sustainable environments.②Improve the standards of

tourists.

tourism products, services, and personnel.③Develop andAdditionally, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition

regulate tour businesses, tour guides, and tour leaders

Bureau (TCEB), a quasi-governmental organization underin accordance with the law. ④Fulfill the needs of

the Office of the Prime Minister, is responsible fortourists and ensure safety in tourism,⑤Promote thepromoting and facilitating the development of the MICE

participation of all stakeholders and support tourism(Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)activities to achieve sustainable tourism.⑥Promoting

business.

and supporting foreign film production in Thailand、⑦Since 1960, various tourism policies have been

Promote and support the production of foreign films in

implemented to promote national economic growth throughThailand. ⑧ Develop

tourism. As a result, Thailand has evolved into one of

information

andcommunication

technology systems to disseminate data and knowledge

the world's most popular tourist destinations.

regarding tourism statistics necessary for planning andmanagement.

〇Timeline of Major Tourism Policies in Thailand

Tourism Authority of Thailand（Tourism Authority ofThailand (TAT）an independent agency under the Ministryof Tourism and Sports (MOTS), primarily oversees
tourism marketing. TAT has established overseas offices
in 19 countries including Sweden, Russia, Germany,
Czech Republic, United Kingdom, France, Italy, UAE(Dubai), India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,
Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, China(Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai), Japan,
Canada, and the United States (New York, Los Angeles),implementing overseas promotion strategies to promote
tourism in Thailand. Additionally, TAT participates inoverseas trade shows and exhibitions such as the Arabian
Travel Market (ATM), Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ), and the
ITB in Berlin to enhance brand awareness.
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand Act B.E.
2522 (1979), Section 8、The objectives of establishing
TAT are as follows ①Promote tourism and the tourism
industry, as well as to encourage Thai nationals towork in the tourism industry. ②Promote Thailand's
reputation as a country blessed with natural beauty,
ancient ruins, valuable artifacts, history, arts andJapan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 9

Figure: Systematic Chart Of Tourism Development Planin Thailand

Source：UNWTO、CLAIR「Tourism Policies in ASEAN」
Created by JTTRI-AIRO

The overview of the National Tourism Development
Plan 2012-2016.

Source：UNWTO、CLAIR「Tourism Policies in ASEAN」
Created by JTTRI-AIRO

The first National Tourism Development Plan focused onproviding high-quality tourism products and services
Source：KLAYSIKAEW KRAIRERK「Research on Tourism Promotion

while maintaining a balance between demand and supply.

in Thailand - Evaluation of Tourism Policies and Analysis of

As a result, it successfully developed the tourism

Traveler Behavior and Evaluation」（2015Year）、TAT Website

market, leading to a growth of over 15% in tourism

Created by JTTRI-AIRO

revenue and surpassing the goals for enhancing tourism
competitiveness.

③ Government's Statutory Plans Regarding Tourism

The Second National Tourism Development Plan (2017-

The First National Tourism Development Plan2021), approved by the Cabinet of Thailand in October（National Tourism Development Plan 2012-2016As a

2016, was formulated to sustain the growth of Thailand's

national master plan for tourism development, it was

tourism sector by further incorporating perspectives onannounced in 2011. This plan was positioned under thesustainable development.

National Economic and Social Development Plan.
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 10

On January 3, 2023, the Cabinet of Thailand approved

focuses only on large corporations, are necessary. At

the Third National Tourism Development Plan (2023-2027),

the same time, the government is called upon toaiming to position Thailand as one of the world's top

implement the following measures.

wellness travel destinations. The Third National①

Tourism Development Plan sets a vision to rebuild a

In order to revitalize domestic travel, it is necessary

high-value

to develop travel products and tourism services

tourismindustry

withresilience,

Revitalization of domestic travel

tailored to domestic tourists. To achieve this, it issustainability, and inclusive growth.

required that the government enhance financial support(2) Results of Expert Interviews and Challenges in thefor small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in the

Tourism Sector

tourism industry.

Thailand's tourism industry has relied heavily on②Exploring New Markets

foreign tourists in the past, but future growth isincrease visitors from emerging markets such as ASEAN

expected to come from both domestic tourism and inboundcountries and India, it is necessary to implement

tourism.

targeted promotions in these markets. Exploring new

Therefore,

infrastructure

and

it

is

urgenttotourism

supplystrengthen

improvetoaccommodate this growth.
Additionally, Thailand is expected to become themarkets is essential for diversifying tourists andachieving this goal.
③Attracting remote workers and similar experts

largest international tourist destination among ASEAN

Implement measures to attract digital nomads and remotecountries. After 2022, it is anticipated that theworkers. The Thai government needs to provide visa andproportion of Chinese tourists will increase again,

tax incentives tailored to their needs.

with Chinese visitors expected to account for over halfof the total visitors by 2025. Challenges in the inbound【References】

market include a high dependency on Chinese tourists

1) The Ministry of Transport of Thailand

and uncertainties stemming from the Russian invasion of

https://www.mot.go.th/index.html

Ukraine.

2) The Ministry of Energy of Thailand

On the other hand, the number of domestic travelers

https://energy.go.th/2015/government-energy-policy/

has been increasing up to 2019, reaching approximately

3) The State Railway of Thailand

130 million people that year. It is expected to surpass

https://www.railway.co.th/Home/Index?value2=00DE5502B5

the 2019 level in 2024, with an estimated reach of

AA7B42A92BE9FF953D8EBD0100000010BB4BA27383E17D0381DE44

around 140 million people by 2027.

11D1B661BBFB15D48E554BF273C6AC36D55EC7F04) The Port Authority of Thailand(3) Approaches to Addressing the Challenges
The challenge facing Thailand's tourism industry

https://www.port.co.th/cs/internet/internet/History.ht
mllies not in stimulating demand from tourists, but rather

5) JICA Bangkok Metropolitan Region Mass Rapid Transit

in supply-side issues. Particularly since the pandemic,

Master Plan (M-MAP2) Capacity Enhancement Project

many tourism professionals have left their jobs,「https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/project/thailand/039

resulting in a significant shortage of qualified and/index.html」

experienced workers. Other factors contributing to the6) Euromonitor Internationalslow recovery on the supply side include liquidity among

https://www.portal.euromonitor.com/portal/statisticsev

business owners, namely financial issues. Financial

olution/index

support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

7) WTTC

and reform within the banking industry, which often
Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Officehttps://wttc.org/research/economic-impact
January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 11

8) KLAYSIKAEW KRAIRERK「Research on Tourism Promotionin Thailand - Evaluation of Tourism Policies andAnalysis of Tourist Behavior」（2015）
9) Ministry of Tourism and Sports
https://www.mots.go.th/mots_en/news/258
10) Department of Tourism of Thailand
https://www.tourism.go.th/11) Tourism Authority of Thailand
https://corp.tourismthailand.org/en/about-tat/history12) UNWTO、CLAIR「Tourism Policies in ASEAN」
https://unwto-ap.org/event/zireisympo/

Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
ASEAN-India Reginal Office

January 2024｜JTTRI-AIRO｜p. 12