Cabinet To Split Sports Ministry From Tourism Next Week
Thailand's Cabinet is set to approve the split of the Sports Ministry from Tourism next week, creating an independent sports authority while merging tourism with the Culture Ministry.
The government is proceeding with structural reform of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports under Prime Minister Anupthane Chanweerakul's directive to create an independent Sports Ministry while integrating tourism operations with the Ministry of Culture.
On July 2, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanthajareonwongkul disclosed to sports media that the establishment of a separate Sports Ministry has progressed clearly and concretely since he took office. The process has moved rapidly, and barring any setbacks, the Cabinet is expected to approve the operational framework at its Tuesday, July 7, 2026 meeting via the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC). The Sports Ministry will definitely become an independent entity, though tourism's planned merger with Culture initially raised questions about the combined ministry's name—whether it would be called the "Ministry of Culture and Tourism" or "Ministry of Tourism and Culture." After careful consultation among all stakeholders and comparison with ministry structures in other countries, the decision was made to call it the "Ministry of Culture and Tourism."
Surasak further noted that while the original three-year implementation roadmap could be significantly accelerated, potentially creating an independent Sports Ministry by end of 2025, he personally believes this timeline is too ambitious. The new Sports Ministry will more likely emerge in 2026. If the sports policy reform succeeds, sports will become an exceptionally important national priority for Thailand going forward. He expressed confidence that this restructured framework represents the correct direction.
