Thailand’s tourism policies face uncertainty following the forced resignation of prime minister Srettha Thavisin on August 14. The new government, led by new prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, must now decide whether to continue the tourism policies of the previous administration.
According to Thai law, ongoing policies with approved budgets will continue to be implemented, regardless of the change in leadership. However, proposed initiatives whose budgets have not yet been approved will depend on the new administration’s priorities.
Paetongtarn, who is also the deputy chair of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, has been instrumental in efforts to establish the Thailand Creative Content Agency (THACCA). The agency organised the THACCA Splash: Soft Power Forum hosted at the end of June 2024, a three-day event hosted at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center to alert local Thais to 11 elements of soft power inherent in Thai culture.
Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political and economic analyst, believes that the Pheu Thai Party, which leads the coalition government, will maintain significant influence.
“Under a new government with the same coalition parties, the continuity of government policies, including the digital wallet, Ignite Thailand, and other projects, will remain intact,” he stated to local news Bangkok Post earlier this week.
Speaking after the court’s decision, Srettha told CNN he had “performed his duty as best he could” and accepted the verdict. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether his policies would continue under the new administration.
Under his IGNITE Thailand strategy announced in April 2024, Srettha aimed to increase foreign investment and establish the country as a hub for eight industries: tourism, wellness and medicine, aviation, logistics, agriculture and food, future mobility, digital economy and finance. He is credited with broadening visa-free entry policies and planning to host significant events to stimulate economic growth.
Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, emphasised the crucial role of political stability in the tourism sector. Speaking to Bangkok Biz News, he noted that Thailand had already welcomed 20 million foreign visitors by July. To meet the year-end target, the country must reach 30 million visitors by October, enabling Thailand to attract an additional six million tourists during the high season in the final two months.
He stressed: “The government has a big task to attract foreign tourists to reach the target of 36.7 million this year. It is crucial to stimulate these numbers through real sector operators – not just organising events – because there is a problem of tourists’ purchasing power decreasing due to geopolitical problems and the slowdown of the global economy.”
Paetongtarn was elected to position by the House of Representatives on August 16. At age 37, she becomes Thailand’s youngest and second female leader.
