PHUKET, Thailand –– The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) supports the Thailand Boat Festival 2026, held from 15–18 January 2026 at Phuket Boat Lagoon, Phuket, with Mr. Nat Kruthasoot, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business, attending the event to meet partners and visit the exhibition. The Festival serves as a strategic platform to drive Thailand’s marine tourism development towards becoming a regional tourism hub and to strengthen international tourism cooperation under the IMT-GT framework, connecting public and private sectors and tourism operators across the region.
The Festival aims to expand high-potential niche markets by showcasing world-class tourism products and services, including shore excursions, destinations, tourism products & services, and supporting services, delivering high-value travel experiences for quality travelers.
On this occasion, TAT brought together tourism authorities under the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework, comprising the Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Centre for Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (CIMT), to promote cross-border marine tourism cooperation and highlight seamless connectivity across the subregion.
The Festival serves as a key platform to drive regional marine tourism cooperation, linking operators across yacht tourism, marinas, charter services, and related sectors from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia to exchange ideas and jointly define a systematic roadmap for regional marine tourism development.
Panel sessions included “Unlocking Thailand’s Potential as a Leading Marine Tourism Destination in Southeast Asia” on 16 January 2026, where high-level representatives joined policy and business dialogues, including Mr. Wajanan Silpawornwiwat, Executive Director of the Southern Region Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); Ms. Siwaphon Thamwapi, Representative from the Department of Tourism (DOT); and Mr. Wattana Choksuvanich, Chairperson of the Thai Cruises Business Association, reflecting Thailand’s readiness in workforce
development, products, and services, and discussing integrated cross-border marine tourism connectivity.
Ms. Wajanan Silpawornwiwat said, “Thailand’s Andaman Coast is ready to step forward as a regional marine tourism hub under the IMT-GT cooperation framework. Phuket, Krabi, and Satun are not only beautiful destinations, but also strategic gateways that allow us to connect cruise, yacht, and ferry travel seamlessly with Indonesia and Malaysia. Our focus is on developing skilled personnel, elevating high-quality tourism products, and ensuring that marine tourism growth delivers real benefits to local communities and the environment.”
Ms. Siwaphon Thamwapi added, “The Department of Tourism is working closely with all partners to strengthen Thailand’s marine tourism ecosystem through standards, workforce development, and quality assurance. By aligning our regulations and training systems with international best practices, we are ensuring that Thailand is fully prepared to welcome high-value marine tourists, while supporting seamless cross-border travel within the IMT-GT region.”
Mr. Wattana Choksuwanich stated, “Thailand Boat Festival 2026 demonstrates how public and private sectors can move forward together to build a truly connected marine tourism network. With Phuket as the primary hub and Krabi and Satun as key gateways, Thailand is ready to offer world-class yacht experiences that link smoothly with Langkawi, Penang and Sabang, creating a new generation of cross-border yacht journeys under the IMT-GT framework.”
Regional partners also shared their vision and opportunities during the panel “IMT-GT as a Dreamed Destination for Quality Yacht Experience” on 17 January 2026, highlighting strategic readiness, strengths, and opportunities to position Thailand as a regional marine tourism hub alongside Indonesia and Malaysia. Speakers included Mr. Amri Bukhairi Bakhtiar, Director, CIMT; Mr. Saut F. Siagian, SVP Marketing & Business Development, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo); and Mr. Mohd Ashrul Ashraf Mohd Noor, Deputy Director, Package Development Division, Tourism Malaysia, together with Mrs. Rungtip Bookkhuntod, Director, Secretariat and International Relations Division, Office to the Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT is confident that leveraging the Thailand Boat Festival 2026 as a collaborative platform will reinforce Thailand’s role as the regional marine tourism hub and drive sustainable, competitive growth for the IMT-GT subregion. (NNT)
